𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | 𝐓𝐥𝐨𝐊

XVI

Sora just wanted to do her job in peace. But it seemed she wouldn't get that luxury while being the Avatar's bodyguard.

She found Korra charming and good company at parties—at first. But that changed quickly when Tenzin—at Korra's request—asked her to join Tarrlok's task force.

Sora wasn't cut out to be someone's babysitter. Especially not the Avatar. She had so much to handle at the police station—paperwork to complete, reports to submit, and making life miserable for recruits. She even tried to refuse the offer, but she ended up agreeing when the younger girl pleaded with those big blue eyes of hers.

And so, there she was—with a small unit from her team—in the back of a tanker truck parked on the far side of the block, hidden in the shadows of the night.

Later that week, after a few days of preparation, Tarrlok's task force was ready to strike. They had discovered an underground chi blocker training camp in the Dragon Flats district of the city. The plan was for Tarrlok to lead the Avatar and a team of twelve on a raid that would deal a significant blow to Amon and his Equalist revolution.

When the task force gathered at the designated location, it was late at night. The training camp was hidden in a secret basement beneath a seemingly ordinary bookstore. The shop was dark and locked up for the night, but through the basement windows, they could make out a group of Equalist men and women practicing chi-blocking techniques.

As they waited for the signal, Sora noticed Korra seemed lost in thought. She also saw the younger girl shiver and rub her arms, likely remembering the numbness caused by the chi blockers when ambushed during their search for Bolin.

Tarrlok looked over his shoulder and held up two fingers—the signal. Sora turned to her team, who stood beside the water tanker truck they had brought to ensure a steady water supply for bending. She gave a sharp nod.

Korra and the rest of the task force silently summoned water from the tanker, preparing to strike the underground hideout. After several tense moments, Tarrlok gave the signal, and Korra, along with the lead task force members, surged forward. Water carried her in a powerful wave that crashed through the basement windows of the tower. The Equalists inside were stunned—many were knocked off their feet by the roaring flood.

At the same time, the rest of the task force broke down the cellar door. Korra and Tarrlok were the first to enter, water bending at the chi blockers and quickly freezing them in place. Meanwhile, Sora and the other officers worked fast to subdue the remaining Equalists—but two managed to escape through a narrow passageway, launching smoke canisters to cover their retreat.

Out of the corner of her eye, the white-haired woman saw the young Avatar take off after the fleeing Equalists. Sora, meanwhile, stood facing one of the captured men, frozen in a block of ice.

"Don't worry, I'll break the ice—literally," Sora muttered to herself, smirking slightly.

Reaching her hands forward, she clenched them into fists and manipulated the earth beneath the block of ice, causing it to shatter and drop the trembling Equalist to the ground. Now free and lying on the floor, the man tried to crawl away—but was stopped by the impact of the woman's metal boot slamming into his face. He collapsed, unconscious.

"Captain, we got everyone," one of the officers reported.

"Great," Sora replied with a nod. "Now, what do you think about introducing our friends here to the place where they'll be staying for a long time?" she said, grabbing the unconscious man—already cuffed—by the collar of his vest and hoisting him under her arm. "I promise you'll love it."

Moments later, as Korra and Tarrlok exited the basement, they saw the metal-bending police already securing the chi blockers. The press was waiting eagerly, microphones outstretched, ready to hear from the Avatar.