ATLA, In A Darker World

Chapter 15 Meeting Iroh

Setting sun ...... Previous day.

The darkness encroached over the horizon as the sun slowly bid the world farewell went unnoticed for the time being.

Throughout the four nations, the rise of nighttime was usually accompanied by many different activities in particularly bustling cities while it was associated with peace and serenity in the more quieter regions.

People in villages and small towns would begin setting up the lanterns while preparing dinner for their respective families.

And with the passing of time, those living in these parts would urge their children and family members to go to bed while the lights go out.

The war hadn't come to an end after a hundred years and the smiles on the faces of people had diminished significantly. In some regions, to the point of being completely non-existent.

There was no happiness, merrymaking, jolly storytelling by the campfire and village festivals. Those rarely happened anymore.

It was an ancient world filled with tragedy and war. Still, peace remained. But on this day, even that last trace of solace was wiped out for a certain group of people.

“No .....”. Elder Wu fell to his knees, tears slowly streaming down the sides of his face at the sight before him.

Fire! Everywhere. The elderly man who should be sitting at his front porch, watching the sun go down with a smile on his face as his grandchildren played with fellow villagers in the sand watched as his home, his village was burned to the ground.

Smoke rose to the sky as the houses and whatever possessions within them were burned using firebending.

His home..... Gone.

His true name wasn't Elder Wu. That was what many people in the village called him after his two sons left the settlement to fight in the hundred-year war and never returned.

His youngest son was called Wu, while his birth name was Kay-Fon. Over time, he had learned to put away the memories of what was and instead look ahead to what could be.

Rumors of the Avatar's return had spread, letting the old man see hope for a better tomorrow. Unfortunately, that dream faded away at the reality before him.

This old man, who hadn't felt such sadness since his wife's death and the news that his sons would never return again wept bitterly. Tears released like a crack appearing in a dam.

“........ It's over ......”. He uttered amidst crying.

Thud! Thud!

The sound of footsteps moving towards him resounded.

“You're right old man”. The shadow of a man emerged behind him in the setting sun.

“…. It truly is over. For all of you”. Standing behind the elderly man was Captain Han's Lieutenant.

And behind him were dozens of Fire Nation soldiers. On the floor around them were the bodies of the villagers spread out almost everywhere. Some died with their eyes bloodshot and wide open, fear, and horror clearly mixed within them.

Of course, they were men and consisted the minority of the total village population. Barely up to a dozen of them who still had the spine to shout, scream, and attempt to top them from carrying out their actions.

The others huddled in the corner. Old men, women, and children with fear and despair clearly written on their expressions.

The children shook with fright, holding their mother's tightly as they looked at the monsters only told to them in bedtime stories.