Avatar: shackled earth

The cave was cold, damp, and eerily quiet except for the occasional drip of water from the ceiling. A small fire crackled between Tomo and Ariya, its orange glow illuminating their tired faces. Tomo leaned back against the rocky wall, absently twirling a stick in his hands. Ariya sat across from him, her sharp eyes fixed on his face.

"So," she began, her tone measured but probing, "you're an airbender."

Tomo froze for a fraction of a second before flashing her his usual grin. "Yup! Crazy, huh? You know, one second I'm just your average guy, next second—whoosh! Air powers."

Ariya didn't smile. Her brows furrowed as she leaned forward. "How? How is that even possible? I thought all the airbenders were gone—wiped out by the Fire Nation."

Tomo's grin faltered, and he shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I mean, clearly not all of them. I'm here, right?"

Her piercing gaze didn't waver. "That's not an answer."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I don't know, okay? It's not like I woke up one day and got a letter explaining, 'Hey, congrats! You're an airbender now!' It just... happened."

Ariya narrowed her eyes, clearly unsatisfied. "And you're an Earth Kingdom citizen. You've lived in that village your whole life, haven't you? How does someone from the Earth Kingdom become an airbender?"

Tomo hesitated, scrambling for an explanation that wouldn't blow his cover. "Maybe it's some long-lost family thing? A great-great-great-grandpa who got around? Who knows?" He waved a hand dismissively. "Point is, I can airbend, and that's that."

"But—"

"Look," he interrupted, his tone softening. "I get it. It's weird. It doesn't make sense. But right now, we have bigger problems, like staying alive. Can we focus on that?"

Ariya studied him for a long moment before leaning back, arms crossed. "Fine. But we're not done talking about this."

"Fair enough," he said, relief washing over him. He poked at the fire with the stick, trying to steer the conversation in a safer direction. "So, uh... I've been thinking about our next move."

"And?" she prompted.

"Well, the Fire Nation's after us—me especially—because, you know, rare airbender over here. I can't exactly blend in. And if we keep running around blindly, we'll get caught sooner or later." He looked up at her, his usual grin replaced by a rare seriousness. "I need to learn how to use this. Properly. Party tricks aren't going to save us."

Ariya raised an eyebrow. "And where are you going to find an airbending teacher? They're all dead, remember?"

Tomo hesitated. Good question, he thought. In truth, he knew the answer: Aang. But he couldn't tell Ariya that he knew about the Avatar because he'd read the story in another life. No one even knew the Avatar was still alive. Yet Tomo needed Aang—desperately. Without him, Tomo's chances of survival were slim at best.

"Kyoshi Island," he said aloud, improvising. "It's nearby, and it's an island. Easier to hide there than on the mainland."

Ariya tilted her head, skeptical. "That's it? You just want to hide?"

"Not just hide," he replied quickly. "It's... strategic. The Fire Nation's reach isn't as strong on Kyoshi Island, and I've heard the people there are skilled fighters. Maybe we can find some allies—or at least catch a break."

She frowned, clearly unconvinced, but didn't argue. "Alright. Kyoshi Island it is. Not like we have a ton of options."

Tomo nodded, trying to mask his relief. Good. She bought it. He wasn't lying, exactly—Kyoshi Island was their best shot. He just didn't mention that he was banking on the Avatar showing up there. If Aang didn't, then... well, Tomo wasn't sure what he'd do.

The general overseer's office was as oppressive as the mines it controlled. Lit by a few torches, it reeked of smoke and sweat. Behind the heavy oak desk sat the Captain, his scarred face twisted in barely contained fury. Kael and Sho stood before him, the former lounging with a smug grin, the latter stiff and silent.

"Kael," the Captain began, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you have any idea how much damage you've done?"

Kael smirked, clearly unconcerned. "Damage? Oh, come on, sir. It's not like I let the whole mine escape. Just two runaways. Hardly worth losing sleep over."

The Captain slammed his fist on the desk, making Kael flinch. "Two runaways, one of whom is an airbender! Do you have any idea how valuable that makes him—or how dangerous?"

Kael shrugged, his grin faltering. "They'll be caught. It's just a matter of time."

The Captain slammed his fist on the desk, making both sergeants flinch. "Don't play dumb with me. Your arrogance and recklessness gave them the opportunity. Do you think I don't know about your methods?"

Kael's grin faltered, but he quickly recovered. "I was just doing my job, sir. Maintaining order."

"Order?" The Captain's voice rose. "Is that what you call it? Intimidating workers, pushing them beyond their limits, creating chaos for your own amusement? This isn't the first time you've pulled a stunt like this. Do you remember why you were transferred here?"

Kael's jaw tightened. "That was a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding," the Captain spat. "You were reckless. Arrogant. You disobeyed orders, endangered lives, and embarrassed your superiors. The only reason you weren't executed was because of your father's influence, and even he won't be able to save you this time. You've been given one last chance. Capture the airbender, or you'll face execution. Do I make myself clear?"

Kael nodded stiffly, his arrogance replaced by a simmering anger. "Yes, sir. I won't fail."

"You'd better not," the Captain growled. He turned to Sho, who stood rigidly at attention. "And you. You were in charge of the section where they escaped. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Sho hesitated, his voice steady but subdued. "I take full responsibility, sir. They outsmarted us."

The Captain nodded curtly. "You'll assist Kael in tracking them down. I want this handled quickly and discreetly. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Sho said.

As the two sergeants left the office, Kael shot Sho a sidelong glance, his cocky demeanor returning. "Looks like we're partners now. Try not to slow me down, alright?"

Sho didn't reply, his focus already on the task ahead.

The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves as Tomo and Ariya made their way through the undergrowth. Tomo moved with an almost carefree energy, occasionally hopping onto fallen logs or spinning a stick like a makeshift staff.

"So," he said, glancing back at Ariya, "what do you think Kyoshi Island is like? Beaches? Big statues? Lots of friendly people handing out free food?"

Ariya rolled her eyes. "I think it's probably another Fire Nation target waiting to happen."

"Wow, way to kill the mood."

"We're fugitives, Tomo. Maybe try taking this seriously?"

"I am taking it seriously!" he protested. "I just think a little optimism wouldn't hurt."

She shook her head, exasperated. "You're impossible."

"And you're grumpy," he shot back with a grin. "Perfect team, huh?"

Despite herself, Ariya smirked. "You're lucky I haven't punched you yet."

"Aw, you'd miss me too much."

As they continued through the forest, Ariya's attention wandered, her focus shifting to scanning their surroundings for danger. Tomo seized the opportunity. Slowing his pace slightly, he concentrated, calling forth the system panel. The familiar glowing screen appeared before his mind's eye, lines of text shimmering in place.

---

[STATUS SCREEN]

Name: Tomo

Race: Human (Earth Bender)

Age: 13

Title(s):

The Elusive Breeze

(For successfully escaping and surviving against superior forces using creativity, resourcefulness, and airbending. Your story is already whispered among those who pursued you.)

Rank: None

---

Attributes:

Strength: 2 → 3

Agility: 2 → 3

Dexterity: 1

Endurance: 2 → 3

Perception: 4 → 5

Wisdom: 6

Focus: 3 → 5

Chi: 7 → 9

---

[SKILL PANEL]

Earthbending: Dormant (Unavailable due to injury)

Description: A natural bending art tied to your heritage. Unlocking it will require healing and focused training.

Airbending: Level 1 → Level 2

Description: Basic control over air currents. You can now create stronger gusts and small bursts of concentrated wind. Sustained precision is still difficult.

Chi Manipulation: Level 2 → Level 5

Description: The ability to channel and control chi within the body, enhancing bending techniques and physical performance. Current mastery allows for more efficient energy usage and stronger bending abilities.

Meditation: Level 4

Description: Focused breathing and mental clarity improve chi recovery and enhance focus during high-stress situations.

Chi Sense: Level 3 → Level 4

Description: A heightened awareness of chi flows in your surroundings. You can now detect fluctuations in chi with greater accuracy and at a slightly longer range.

---

System Remark: Oh, look at you, surviving by the skin of your teeth and calling it progress.

---

Tomo smirked at the cheeky remark, though a part of him was genuinely relieved by the progress. His attributes and skills had grown considerably, proving that his efforts—and sheer desperation—hadn't been in vain.

"Being able to see your progress in numbers is so underrated, I wish I had that back on earth, I might have actually been motivated to get things done" Tomo sighed as he whispered to himself

I'm getting stronger, he thought. But it's not enough. I still need a real teacher. His mind briefly drifted to the Avatar, frozen in an iceberg somewhere far away. I just need to survive long enough to find him.

"Tomo," Ariya's voice snapped him back to reality.

"Huh?" He looked up, quickly dismissing the panel.

"Are you going to stand there all day, or are we moving?" she asked impatiently.

"Right, right. Let's go."

As they disappeared deeper into the forest, neither noticed the faint trail of smoke rising in the distance—a Fire Nation patrol, closing in.