High Fire Tide

[Teiú]

(Teiú comes from: The Army of Shattered Dreams and Resentful Wills)

Among the boredom produced by passing days and accumulated anger of those in high spirits for avenging the brothers of Tachi Dai, there were always those whose patience would find its limits sooner than average. Those would always find someone to par with the so contagious state of provoking rage. The fights produced by that scenario had taken more than it was acceptable of that poor army of helpless strong men. That, however, was before the arrival of those whose presence had long been promised. Teiú's hopes of seeing Setsuko back increased steadily as days after "elder"'s arrival were taking place. The eyes of the anxious fire nation young man peered every movement these leaders so successfully performed in order to reassemble the once chaotic lines of rebels.

Sure, much couldn't be expected of the soldiers of those lines, those were guerrilla warriors and their tactical capabilities shouldn't be overestimated. But neither should their involvement with their cause be underestimated. While their hopes rested on the shoulders of new-come leaders that did nothing but good to the situation, their understanding of how well conceived a counter attack plan should be increased considerably. In his exile by the tents, where few would be enraged by the sights of this fire nation citizen, Teiú often met these leaders. And they took out of the young firebender all they could about basics of army's organization.

There he found himself daily, by the rocky hillside very near the impregnable fortress of Pohuai, hidden among the cold rocks accompanied by those few scouts. Day by day they would find their place in the hidden cracks of the mountains, always peering and watching, searching for security weaknesses and ways to make the best approach to the fortress. Their primary mission, rescuing those still imprisoned by the fire army, was being proven to be something incredibly tough by ways of a direct assault. However, it wasn't befitting of these clandestine warriors to openly show themselves before entering the very holes of those darkened walls. There, among the howling of the cold mountain wind, was whispered to Teiú's ears that an action would really soon take place, and that this son of the Fire Nation would be extremely needed in guiding soldiers, should it be in disguise or direct assault, through the expected ways of the fort.

Teiú watched the burning lights inside the fortress from afar with thoughts in his head that fight would soon take place, in just a matter of a few days. No avatars nor earth kingdom army, but Teiú knew with every bit of feeling that those rebels would risk their hearts and souls in their struggle to retrieve their locked compatriots. And that was also true to Teiú, and his feelings for those born on the land he learned to call mother. The Rebellion was just waiting for a little slip of their foes, a little crack in their armor, where they could pour enough oil for them to burn themselves.

[vu]

Half-clinched, Vu's fists rested atop Pohuai's cold iron battlements. From beneath the wall tower he stared at the approach of floating torch lights upon the bay; too dark to see the pluming trail of smoke from the vessels they were attached to.

"You should look happier. Your ship has finally come in," a voice startled him.

"General," Vu straightened his shoulder then saluted to the mildly short and husky, newly minted general.

"At ease," Shinu gestured with a wave of his hand as he walked towards the battlements then poked over for a view across the bay. "Your record gives credit that you and your men deserve this. And this continent is vast. Even if the war is still over, there are still enough insurgents wanting a fight and will be here waiting for your return."

"Thank you, sir. But it is not about that--it is just--this feels," he held back a sigh. "Those ships are smearing salt into my wounds. I lose almost half my men and every one of my machines, the resistance members of Tachi Dai managed to get away and at the same time while we were out there trying to smash the resistance the war was already over. The bodies of our fallen can't be recovered because the resistance created some sort of underground volcano or something that has made the land around Tachi Dai toxic and unstable. And now they tell us to go home for a while to enjoy ourselves."

"I've read your record. Your team earned it. And in fact, you should be proud for being among those that helped bring this war to end," clasping his hands behind his back as the vessels neared the stronghold's dock. "And those we've lost made the greatest sacrifice in seeing the war has finally came to an end. Even the ones lost at Tachi Dai did their part in stamping out a likely flare up that would have prolonged it. They did good. And they were soldiers, so they already knew the risks that came with this job."

"Understood, sir," Vu blurted in rather than the lecture continued. "I will do well to remember that and honor my comrades, sir." He saluted at Shinu's nodding approval.

[Teiú]

"Ever got a bite of fire fishes?" Said an old voice, whose owner's hand was pointing towards the shining dots among the dark waters of the bay.

From where these scout rebels were hidden, very little was recognizable midst the coming night's gloom. However, from the shining dots on the waters, very little surmises were logically acceptable, as to think a ship's lights were more obvious than shining little spirits. However, that didn't make it being a ship much more reasonable than the other options. To Teiú, it would always be an enigma, but to the trained eyes of those watching, that was a vessel from the Fire, no doubt.

"It is a Fire Nation vessel, Teiú" Whisperer looked at Teiú. "What is your look at that? What it'll carry, and would it be bringing in or taking out?"

Teiú peered at the inquiring man. No too steady in his analysis, although trying to make use of sheer analytical logic behind it, the young man's answer had in it somewhat vague direction for what it could be, yet valuable information. "W-well... If it is really a ship, would be useful to recognize its type, that would make any guesses at its mission more... precise. But, well, this is not a typical time for one to approach and leave at one time."

"Why not?" The man kept on his questions.

"W-Well, if we are to take it as a scheduled and regular visit, it is pretty acceptable to think it brings supplies to the fortress. At that, we could always infer it just couldn't make it while day was clearer. Thus it is safe to assume it will spend all night long unloading its supplies and waiting for better visual sea conditions. However... well..."

"Something bothers you?" Another senior asked.

"Y-yes. I... I guess we can assume with good logical basis this is non-standard measures being taken. Normally, the army would've seized Tachi Dai and would start deploying infrastructure for Fire citizen's occupation. But as Tachi Dai... well, as Tachi Dai turned into unstable ground, between ashes, protocol had to be changed. Normally, the only moving caravan would've been part of the army and the prisoners, for extraction. But, instead, all of its units had to move along. We can assume they may send transport to extract any possible excess of units or to move prisoners to other camps." Teiú's sweat came down his face as he moved on every line of his report.

"Are you certain on that?"

"Oh, oh, not at all, this is just expected protocol for how Earth Kingdom occupation should be done. But I don't know either the situation on this fortress or about the caravan of soldiers leading the prisoners there. It was all unexpected happenings back there, and I can give very small... eh... accuracy margin for the destination of such a ship."

At that, the majority of that espionage group started to pack up for stealthy downhill walk.

"Get packed, fire boy. If it is as you say, we'll take a closer look. We don't have much time, so any possible chance of hoarding good intel about the situation is worthy a try."

[vu]

"Next!"

Boots clunked on the plank floor in legato, the soldiers attached to them maneuvered like a system of gears as they attempted to navigate further into the room. And others like Vu, tried to squeeze and squirm their way between the gears as they tried to depart the crowded quartermaster office.

"Next?"

Vu's hand slid across the smooth bottom of of his chin. No beard yet; feeling the time he spent just trying to leave the office becoming ridiculous. And that was even before he lost track of the subordinate that came in with him. They were soon separated by the crowd as they began to leave, and now there was no telling where where he could be among this mass nor anyway to spot him.

Continuing on he was relieved to final feel the still night air hang over his scalp, feeling squeezing the door like a popped cork while the line continued to lengthen outside. Further down the dockyard another crowd was gathered and lined up near the barge that had just arrived. Being days late and behind schedule the ship's crew and the dock staff would likely be up for the rest of the night loading and unloading it. But where was its escort?

"Hooray!--"

"Next?"

"You made it out too, sir." His subordinate addressed him with rice hanging off his lips as he and other members of their platoon gathered under a torch-pole nearby, a couple of them trying to read letters from home in the lowlight while others were rifling through their care packages.

"We were just about to launch a rescue mission in fact," quickly explaining like a guilty child, "but we um..."

"Figured the operation should be better conducted on a full stomach?" Vu interrupted sarcastically.

"Yeah! Correct as always sir!"

Vu rolled his eyes and pilfered a bun from the man's box. "Did any of you find out about their tardiness," referring to the recently arrived barge that was hectically busy loading prisoners while unloading itself at the same time in an effort to get back on schedule.

"Trouble at see, sir," one replied while still reading his letter.

"Attack?" The rice-speckled soldier chimed in.

"By the sea itself, yeah."

"Storm then," Vu concluded.

"That's what I'd said," the other soldier began folding the letter. "But the sailors I kept on saying there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Yet somehow the sea still became choppy then swirled about them into a whirlpool. One of the ships escorting them was pulled in. The other one made it but most of its crew were either injured or fell overboard."

"So, did they just leave them there," Vu questioned as he watched the specks of prisoners prod and shuffled up the gangplank and into the barges depths, "or tow them back to the home islands."

"Too far out to return home. There was a warship nearby, off in the distance on patrol that saw what happened. But when sending sending a distress signal to the ship they received no reply. The ship kept its distance but continued to follow them here.

Then, night before last they were caught in a fog. They were separated from their other escort and by the time it lifted the next morning the captain found himself miles off course."

"And the escort?"

"Eventually found parked against the rocks," he held out his hands and shrugged, "but no crew. The captain finally assumed they marched their way here."

Vu's shoulders touched his ears in a shrug as they all glanced at one another. No one but the barge had arrived here recently.

[jialingjin]

How long had it been?

She was a prisoner.

This was something new, Jialing mused as she walked in a circle. She had been in Fire Nation camps plently of times before, in her occasional side work.. she made a face. She never enjoyed it, but it paid. She kept her head down low as she walked, the shaggy mane of hair she once enjoyed gone and replaced by a shredded pixie cut. She felt lighter to say the least thanks to the haircut. The soreness in her body was still there, her joints ached when she flexed them, bending her arms as she walked to keep them limber, stretched her calf muscles out when she was allowed to. They had been brought to one of the many iron-clad fortresses and bases that ran all along the western coast of the Earth Kingdom, guarding the Colonies and also acting as landing points for the constant rotation of troops to refresh the front lines.

Her arms were crossed across her chest, her clothes having been taken from her and left to burn, while she had been issued the standard potato-sack like garmets that all prisoners wore. It slouched to one shoulder, reavealing freckles across her lightly tanned skin. It had short sleeves, and hung to her mid hips. Crude in color, brown as desert sand, it was matched with a pair of short pants that extended just past her knees. The precious suede and rabbit fur boots that she had coverted for years had been taken from her, but not without a few claw-like scratches across her agressors face. Now if Jialing had ever needed a reason to hate the Fire Nation she had one. Arms folded across her chest, the young woman with the shaggy hair looked to the side, her eyes trailing across the others trapped behind the iron walls. Both genders were mixed, with some gathered in small groups talking. Many of the women were huddled together, crying with their children close to by.. Some Men, especially some of the young ones, still had their spirit, and were sporting bruises and burns from recent scuffles. Just recently, no longer deeming them a threat, especially with the iron floors undernethe the dusty layer of dirt, the Earth benders had been released into the general population and that meant one thing - That cowering pathetic whelp Hibiki was around.

Jialing hadn't been marked as anything but a potentially hostile prisoner. She wasn't a bender, she had no intelligence regarding the Rebellion and their next move. She knew how to push their buttons and when to back off and as of yet, hadn't suffered anything past a beating for her attitudes. Rumors floated around that they were going to be shipped to mines in the Earth Kingdom, or back to the Fire Nation.. or perhaps out to the great iron rigs the Fire Nation was rumored to have built. It was all to break their spirit, and that of the Earth Kingdom. She paused in her wide circle, lifting her chin and gazing out across the compound. Where.. was that little runt?
It wasn't that Jialing needed him or anything, but.. she did her best thinking when she had someone to yell at..

((Given Hibiki's current situation, he need not reply until he feels up to it.))

[gandalan]

Being a prisoner hadn't changed much, except that it wasn't so cramped as in the caves, and he didn't have to do anything. To balance this out, his clothes were gone, and the new ones were scratchy and didn't cover his pale skin all the way. The brown material only went down halfway on his arms, and to his knees in the pants.

At least the food was decent.

They had been kept in their pens for awhile until they were released into the yard with the other prisoners, being deemed unable to cause problems with their bending. Hibiki, despite his new-found confidence in his abilities, had to reluctantly agree. All that was here was dust, not even sand. He couldn't even bend the latter well, even if soil was do-able. He didn't really have anybody to talk to, so he sat in the corner, which was partially shaded, watching everybody else.

Except one.

There was that blindfolded girl beside him, who had apparently inched along the wall to get here. He'd sat down beside her to keep out of the way, like she had thought, probably. She looked terrified, as far as expressions without eyes went. Hibiki had felt bad for her, and sat down quietly, not saying anything. He didn't want to scare her anymore. He was scared himself anyway. He knew how she felt. There were nasty rumors going around that they'd be sent to the mines (OH NO! he mused), another area to a proper prison, or even to the Fire Nation itself. THAT would scare Hibiki. A place of no escape, surely, was the Fire Nation. He would probably lose all hope again... if that happened. So he'd have to make sure it didn't.

As if he had choices.

He sighed, looking up to check around for friends again, and saw one almost instantly. Ugh, the hair. He grimaced, but then smiled slightly despite himself, and waved at her. She was nearby, so she ought to see him. "Hey Jia..." he said. He was so cheerful that she was okay that he didn't even mention how they'd left him behind at Tachi Dai.

[set]

The little girl shivered as she hugged her knees to her chest. She was somewhat comforted by the warmth she felt from the body next to her, so instinctively she shrank closer to it. Her skin itched terribly from the rags she wore, and she had bruises all over her delicate limbs from crawling around blindly from place to place. Her raven hair was a tangled mess; the ends of it were chopped because it became caught in something that felt like metal. It did not spread down her back, but now it sat on her shoulders and only added onto the irritation of her pale skin.

The brass key still remained around her neck. She hid it in the folds of her blindfold and buried it with her hair back when they were taking her clothes. It hurt badly and left marks, but she was able to hold it there by pretending her head hurt if she heard voices or footsteps around her. Now she was able to hide it beneath her rags.

It was a long time since she last saw her family. Back at home, perhaps they had given up searching for her or assumed she fell from the harbor and drowned. After all, it was the last place she might have been seen.

Her companion from the boat that crossed the wide ocean was dead. From the time that had passed, she also assumed the worst and thought he had not survived his wounds. The idea made tears swell in her golden eyes that hid behind a ragged blindfold. Slowly, day by day, the bright hope she had of returning home dimmed into a weak, flickering flame barely burning the wick of a melted candle.

She lost her family. She lost Xin, and she lost her dear friend Teiú. All that remained were her innocent prayers to survive.

[Teiú]

And, as if luck showered upon them, the younger scouts opened smiles, as the prisoners were filling the metal deck. For them all rebel scouts, selected few now so near their enemy's walls that the very towers of the fortress were providing the shadows in which these warriors were hiding, the plan formulated itself alone. Easy enough, hidden by the darkness of the night, using the sideways of the hills, the army would engage the fortress from the outside, providing cover fire, guerrilla fire. Meanwhile, those bearing abilities different from the sole mischief would break in and either let their nemesis take the ship loaded with their trapped comrades out and then gain control of the vessel later or launch it themselves.

However, for those whose wits' edges were higher, and among those Teiú, that though not so different from the eager ones had for his advantage the intel on the procedures of this one army to which once he belonged, there was more than eyes were meeting in this so presumed chance. "The Elder" ordered those whose impatience was peaking to go back to the camp, assemble the army and put it in good range, were they would be able to attack in short time and still maintain their presence unknown, till assault should take place. They left.

Teiú found himself reunited with the ones minding the actions, by the rocky lines of the shore, from where they could see the planks leading from the fort's dock to the ship. Seated almost as comfortably as if in a huge, cozy and well furnished room, that old man over there, with messy gray hair and a skin tanned by sun and dust, known as "The Elder", once again inquired Teiú.

"So, these worries 'n your face translate what, you said?"

"W-well, I assume the main plan is to let them gather the prisoners then board in, i-is it? Well, you see, we... I mean... the army won't take this people out without an escort, it is wrong, that is not how it is done. I would expect a supply ship but... this... I mean... this is not going right."

"How so?" Asked again, The Elder, whose expression seemed to show, beforehand, all the knowledge Teiú was trying to share.

"When we carry... mean, when the army extracts ships with hostiles, escorts are always needed. If hostiles rise riot, they provide extra crew. If said riot gives them control of the ship, escorts take it back. If taking it back becomes impossible, escorts sink it. If enemy vessels try to retrieve prisoners, pretty likely to happen, escorts protect the ship. We... uh... the ship won't leave until escorts are there... but... I mean... it is all going wrong in this campaign. I don't know if this one ship will hold or will set sails, I can't figure it..." Teiú looked into gentle brown eyes "I'm sorry..."

The Elder smiled. "Be sorry not, young man, you'll soon be able to repay this debt you alone find yourself in need of paying". Elder's hand rested upon his loyal's shoulder. "Time for me to go back. You will stay and wait for the few more needed for your mission. We'll engage from the front as soon as you send us signal all prisoners are aboard. Try to seize the ship and set sail quickly, into the darkness of the night sea. If not possible, try to release the prisoners and force them back inside, in order to open gates for our troops. Uphill, we'll be ready to back you up as needed."

With agility that didn't fit the likes of his appearance, "The Elder" made his way uphill back to the lines of rebels at the camp, alongside his always present bodyguard. From one of the two left, besides Teiú himself, was questioned how they would make inside. It was not much longer than that that they were following the waves, opening their way through the large ducts leading steam out, in ocean's direction. Even from the covering needed to protect themselves from the occasional steam blast, which gave them their share of effort to survive to, they heard the loud thunder that echoed throughout the walls of the fortress. Something powerful certainly raged against the fort's wall, although Teiú's imagination couldn't even hint at what rebels where making use of.

A rather harsh voice, from a person Teiú knew for sure wasn't his best friend, surprised the young man. "Don't worry, whelp, we can hold our own for sometime, you reds ain't all that good that we can't get to you. Rest here while we wait for our promised comrades to follow our trail. If it was them signing to the others to start the attack they'll be here in a minute. Keep your eyes open and be steady and stealthy, was hard enough already bringing you up here. Once inside, fast thinking, we must be sure all prisoners are inside the ship." He slapped Teiú's face slightly "Prove me there are reds whose guts can keep up even without all this steam powered junk you scum got."

[vu]

Vu had already lain himself out for the night when the Rebellion’s shenanigans began. His mind still hung onto the edge of consciousness by a finger as he rested before a shrill symphony of bells shouted into his ear.

“You people still have some fight left in you?” He fussed with a hand covering in his face, assuming the prisoners were hopelessly trying to escape or even commandeer the transport. As he pulled a tunic over his head, Vu sighed in pity of them, knowing he’d be just as surprised for any of the prisoners that manage to live long enough to see morning.

Outside, the situation had yet become what Vu assumed. As the alarm bells were still sounding archers, including a few of the yuyan, were racing across the battlements towards the stronghold’s rear section. Some had ducked for cover or took safety under nearby parapets as another set of boulders came sailing over the walls. Below, spearmen attempting to form up into groups and sally out the rear gate again scattered like a startled flock of birds as crashed onto the stronghold grounds. Overlooked and nearly blindsiding the Fire Nation defenders, the Rebellion had chosen to launch their attack from Pohuai Stronghold’s rear as it faced the mountain rather than the front or side that look down the hill and over a vast, empty land that had been cleared away to offer no room for hiding once anyone left the safety of the forest far off in the distance. And now, those amongst them who weren’t earthbenders began taking aim at Fire Nation archers hanging over the battlements who themselves were randomly launching fire arrows towards them, attempting to alight the Rebel attackers’ hiding places.

“All right,” minutes later Vu was in the final stages of buckling his cuirass as he met with the members of his platoon as they were racing out of the central tower. Commandeering a wagon, he began calling off names of those in his unit still able-bodied to ride with him towards the dock just outside the walls, the rest he left behind to attend to any of the wounded.

[gandalan]

The instant the noise started, Hibiki looked up, not towards the noise, but up. The constant battles he'd endured lately had given him another sense for them, one he'd had to develop over time, that he wasn't used to. It was weird, but he knew the boulders were coming. He grabbed the blindfolded girl. "Setsuko! MOVE!" He pulled her sideways just as a boulder rolled past them into the corner of the fortress. Spirits, were they TRYING to kill ALL the occupants of the fort?

He grimaced up at the archers taking positions on the wall opposite. This was a rescue attempt then? He pulled Setsuko behind him, and yelled, "Stay behind me!" He felt her clinging arms wrap around his leg, and he grimaced. So long as he didn't need to move, this would be fine.

He turned to look at the boulder. It was big. Way bigger than anything he'd moved before. He took in a breath, and took a stance, moving his arms up, and it rose, slowly, but surely. He then turned to the wall, and moved his arms around to move it quickly. It was flung up into the air, flung at the archers on the wall opposite. Hibiki was grinning. See them dodge THIS.

[set]

The noise and the chaos startled Setsuko. Every shudder of the ground and cry of pain made her skin crawl, and the anxiety of it all made her tiny heart pound hard inside of her frail ribcage. She hyperventilated, increasing the blood rush in her head. After days of malnourishment, the thin muscles of her limbs became deprived of the strength and control she once had before. Her entire body was stiff and could barely move, though she wanted to flee for her life. She wanted to scream at every burst of earth with fear. 

The lack of sight prevented so. It did not hit her to merely remove her blindfold and run, for she was too frightened that one false move could cost her life. Setsuko began to do what most children would do at a point of helplessness and fear; she began to cry. Tears stained her blindfold as she whimpered loudly. 

She stood and clutched to the boy's waist. Her fingers and wrists nearly cramped in attempt to keep hold for dear life as her arms trembled.

[Teiú]

Kui Lan was young and energetic. Ever since he started his training, back at the fiery land of his, in coastal line of Fire Nation, his dream was to so bravely protect his country. For it, he could give his own life. Learning to show pity for those whom he thought needed his nation's guidance, Kui Lan trained his way in every manner possible against the menace of earthbenders, to show them the rough way if they couldn't peacefully accept his lord's gift. He learned to break rocks apart, to tear the ground itself apart with his raging flames, to burn those posing a threat without giving them chance to scar the almighty will of those trying to share prosperity. Yes, he trained, harder and harder at each time, imagining himself fighting a dozen earthbenders and holding his own. He learned to avoid the traps of shaking ground and flying boulders. He was the one and true nemesis of those opposing the blessing his majesty Ozai was trying to bestow upon them. A true Fire Nation warrior.

After his first relocation, from Lun Yang security police to Pohuan Fort's guard, it could only be understandable, the frustration of his, after that sad episode. Even surprised by the bit more of half a dozen figures breaking through the fort's kitchen, clad in dark green colored attire and faster than satisfaction would require, the always prepared Kui Lan fired a torrent of mighty flames towards the invaders. When the slim figure advancing in front slightly moved the flames aside, however, Kui Lan didn't know how to react. And for those that could've been feeling bad for Kui Lan's misfortune, was perhaps good to think that this thought didn't bother him for long. The huge blocks of rock he always waited for didn't come, but the cold and unexpected dagger of the huge man following the one that bent the flames was quick and precise at cutting through Kui Lan's throat, since his way was free from any dangers like incoming fire. To those tat opposed Kui Lan, however, this fact never came to knowledge and Kui Lan's death, whose brothers would mourn a few months later, passed totally unattended.

Teiú was young and energetic. The adrenaline peaking on his veins was giving him heightened senses for the moment. His mission was simple, to move away incoming fire that could harm his companions. He would feel horrible in thinking his aid went invaluable for the rebels to kill his fellow brothers in citizenship through the ways of the fort. However, from the war he had grown tougher and rougher. If even acknowledging that fact, he would certainly bring to mind his will to retrieve Setsuko right after. And if this was come to his thoughts, Teiú would never mourn these fallen soldiers as he would otherwise.

But even coming up with a decent work, Teiú was far from being a powerful firebender such as those soldiers were. To move fire away wasn't really hard, that had been the focus of all his training, anyway. Added to that, he had the surprise effect as aide. Yet, him and his comrades, running through the corridors and sideways of that fort, fighting almost at point-blank range at times, started facing too big some odds. Should those agile warriors not be there, Teiú would already be down. And even then, for him that always had extra focus on his breath control, was becoming easy to tell him and his companions to be growing tired at every bit of the path.

The echoing thunders were still rocking. The walls trembled and showered the corridors with dust, following the loud roars. The last firebender faced had thrown a bit more than Teiú could correctly counter. The deserter succeeded at protecting his partners, but he gained a burn on his left hand that was sapping his stamina. When the corridors ended and the night-crawlers reached a huge chamber, with ways to both sides, the leader of the group was fast at splitting the team. Teiú went with four more after the ship, while the other three were to roam the base hidden by the shadows and check if any prisoners were left behind.

Through metal ground, the rebels started making their way against the relatively poorly protected ship. However, out in the open upper deck, not hidden by the corners of the walls, the invaders saw their number dwindle quickly, as they were spotted and hit by fire bolts and spear thrusts.

Teiú fell, an arrow stuck on his left shoulder, a day of rotten luck for his left arm. The rebels still standing advanced further and further, aiming for the main cabin. The floor was stained with blood and the sick smell of burnt meat invaded Teiú's nostrils. One more arrow flew near, before the arrows stopped coming. Teiú got up, praying that his comrades managed to conquer the ship. He stumbled back and forth through the deck searching for the body of a jail-master. However, when he accidentally fell down a stairway leading to lower deck, the door to it opened with the impact from the fall. When his eyes looked up, the prisoners were scavenging the belongings of some guards fallen by the deck. Someone with a key in hands, responsible for opening the door, helped the firebender stand on his feet.

"Upstairs... take the... ship... help!" Teiú stuttered, shaken by the events. It didn't take longer for the adult prisoners to go to upper deck. For a few minutes, Teiú remained there, seated near the door, catching his breath. A pair of ladies went by. It was all too quick for the young man to decide anything, but before he knew they had broken the arrow's tip and were removing the arrow from the deserter's shoulder. Teiú couldn't remember of a worst pain. When the prisoners that weren't in conditions for a fight started climbing the stairs to upper deck, the firebender felt a heavy urge to search for Setsuko among them. However, those that left searching for more prisoners hadn't been back yet and the sounds of battle were still pretty heated. Teiú looked around quickly. Didn't catch a hint that Setsuko could be there. After covering his wound, upstairs called him. His eyes looked both ways, before he started running toward the docks.

[vu]

To Vu it felt as if his head throbbed against the inside of his helmet. The wailing alarm sirens aided by the gargling cry of injured pack-lizard nearby did not help his condition either. He gagged and spat at the taste of dirt and girt in his mouth.

"Up," he groaned with palms pushing against the ground. Ahead of him the blur of dirty feet and worn footwear was coming into focus. There was so many of them Vu realized. Coming here they were just a chained, head drooping, beaten line of prisoners. Neat, organized, broken and guarded. Now they were a chaotic mob spilling around him like a flood. He couldn't keep track of even a single one among them.

Scattering on their own accord many of the prisoners began fleeing to the ship that had arrived earlier tonight, being led in the direction by rebels who had broken into the stronghold or merely following anyone in front of them. A few were swimming and screaming amid desperately seeking a loved one. While the boldest of them chose to fight, hurling boulders flown into the stronghold into the backs of the Fire Nation defenders while others wrestled with infantry spearmen.

"The prisoners," his voice rose as he got to his knees. He twisted his head, following the path of an upraised fissure next to him and that ended at an overturned wagon. "Get up and stop them!" He growled at the soldiers also sprawled about the wagon.

Vu landed on his feet while shoving the why and how of this prisonbreak aside. The glint of an arrow whizzed from behind his head. A fleeing prisoner dove face first to the dirt then skidded to a halt with the arrow's fetching waving over her head.

"Ignore them!" Vu whirled into the tattooed face of an archer. "Deal with them!" Pointing towards the earthbenders lobbing boulders at the backs of the defenders atop the ramparts. "Firebenders! Corral the runners!"

[Teiú]

Pathways through docks to the ship became very easily recognizable as an unplanned chaos. The huge effort of the few leading rebels to move the crowd towards the ship where most were not wishing to board was very little efficient at meeting its means. However, from the fort to the docks several people dressed in rags were making ways toward the ship, and that was what kept them going, even though the ship itself was being found still to be taken.

Teiú rushed through the sideways, on the direction of the fort's entrance, hoping to help reassembling the prisoners. Was only when one of these runners, already out of the fort's main gate to the docks, decided to pull a stop and shot the stone of the rocky shore back inside that Teiú realized the danger of the situation. Being Earthbend what moved the stones against the fire soldiers, seemed clear why what happened right after had the poor earthbender as target. Right a second after the rock throw, three arrows flashed from inside the fort. They hit, precisely, the earthbender's spine, by the height of his shoulders, his neck's scruff and through his ribs, by his right lung.

If he died at the time or a few seconds later really didn't come Teiú's mind. All for it now was that, for such shots, then the only ones were to be the Yu Yan. Being that the case, it was more than enough time to make the way out. But at the split second when Teiú froze to attend to the shocking news of Yu Yan, from the gate crossed prisoners in the form of fireballs. Behind them, flamethrowers showering fire at all directions.

However, from inside the fortress, the last lights of hope shone, when the earthbenders left behind, still inside guiding the last prisoners out, decided to seal the gate by making the entrance's stone pillars to crumble upon themselves. For the few remaining inside, it sealed fate, as well. For those outside, however, the many fleeing and the few firebenders, apex was still to meet its ways. While the earth people that escaped the walls tried to conquer the steps toward the ship still waging war, the firebenders that were left outside, those not smashed by the crumbling gate, saw better in keeping on their duty.

It gave hope to Teiú seeing a young rebel comrade taking place by his side, throwing boulders towards the firebenders harassing the last fugitives. It seemed to be just a kid, way younger than one would officially meet on infantry lines. They were the two to protect those rushing towards would be salvation from the bit less of half a dozen firebenders still posing a threat. Teiú took three steps further. When one of his foes fired the first sparks of what would be a torrent of flames, Teiú didn't even flinch before acting. With his right hand, he slapped the air, turning the first blazes away. At the same time, his left hand reached for the enemy's mask, pushing it up. As the right hand came back, it brought the dagger by Teiú's sheath. A clean cut by the foe's neck splashed blood over the rebel's face. Teiú stumbled. Partially blinded by the blood, the rebel fell to his knees.

The vision he witnessed next immediately pushed him forward, though. Very near the pier a kid fell to the ground. The woman seeming to be guarding it fell right on top. She stood over the kid, even when the Fire soldier flared blazes over both. On his rush to aid them, blood covering his eyes, Teiú failed at seeing the second Fire soldier coming sideways. Teiú was tackled. As his body hit the ground, he felt the warmth of engulfing flames.

And meanwhile, trebuchets were taking their time opening ways through the dock gate's ruins.

[vu]

“Ladders!” Vu echoed the yell for assistance.

“Ladders!” The frustrated echo continued unremitted as the steel gateway leading to the dock was obstructed with raised stone and overturned earth.

Amid the wavering chaos he could hear General Shinu yelling for soldiers to abandon the trebuchets and gather blasting jelly. Nearby, what prisoners that failed to flee outside before their fellow earthbenders blocked the escape route were being rounded up, the nonbenders almost immediately wavering whilst the earthbenders’ resistance diminished even as boulders sporadically continued to sail over the wall into the courtyard.

Outside, Rebellion forces who had instigated the prison break were falling into a retreat. The boulders they were sending into the courtyard came at irregular intervals as the number of Fire Nation arrows trying to find them increased and the main gate in their direction roared opened, releasing numerous footsoldiers that began racing across the field in search of them.

Back inside the stronghold Vu turned away from the useless display of soldiers attempting to dig out the rubble that closed off the direct gateway to the dock. Speeding towards his vicinity Vu watched lines of sprinters tearing across the courtyard with each line holding an elongated length of two bamboo poles lashed together carried under arm. As each lead runner met the fortress’ steel wall he began to immediately dash up its length. Behind him the ladder merely bent to the change in directions and climbed the wall’s length as other soldiers in the line forced it skyward and themselves ran up the wall as they neared it. One each ladder was erected another soon followed, lifted and set down on the other side of the wall so the soldiers could climb down.

Vu impatiently awaited his turn to ascend the ladder as well. He hustled his way up and back down, dogged every step of the as curses, shouts and orders made it clear that the prisoners were not only escaping but ironically captured the very barge that was to transport them out to sea. A nest of agitated ants, the Fire Nation soldiers redoubled their efforts. Swarming over the walls and madly dashing across the docks the prison barge was slowly and continually drifting away from the pier and out to sea.