Avatar - The Search (Started, Applicants Welcome)

[Random Fella]

"Heh, don't worry about it" Tao playfully laughed as they came to the tunnel entrance.
"We'll be fine" he coughed. "Depending on how the Badgermoles are feeling" He said as quickly as possible.

Lighting a torch he set out, motioning for Nauja to follow close behind him.
They began to walk through the tunnel, often they would come to an area with differing paths, at which Tao would stop to focus, often placing his hands on the walls in deep though, examining the tunnels layout. It was clear that his ability required a lot of his focus to be used correctly.

They then came to the middle of the tunnel, it had a tomb like appearance with writing and pictures on the wall describing the story of the tunnel.

"Supposedly those two were the first Earthbenders." Tao announced, pointing at the drawing of them both on one of the walls.
"Two tribes at war, and a tale of love, or some romantic blabber like that." He scoffed, in the kind of way some young men did at the idea of any type of romance in an attempt to save their masculinity.

"I reckon it was made by Earthbenders to transport weapons in secret in the olden days." He exlaimed.
"Then they just made up some baloney like this to hide it, or for some tourism." Tao crossed his arms and smiled, almost proud of his theory.

He walked up to the exit opposite to the one they entered from and began to focus once again.
"Wait... no way..." He mumbled as he could sense a man-like figure, as if someone was lost.
"I think there's someone in here!" He cried out to Nauja. "Quick! Follow me".

Tao began to rush toward where he had seen whatever it was that was there, hoping it wasn't a lost baby Badger-Mole.

As the pair turned the corner Tao could see a young man, perhaps of similar age to himself, resting, it was unclear how long he had been resting there for but he seemed exhausted.
He motioned for Nauja to stay put, and slowly inched toward him.

"H-Hello? Are you alright?" He asked, to which he received no response.
"Hello!?" He asked again, almost shouting now. Adjusting his footing to poke the young man in the shoulder with part of the cave wall.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The group quickly arrived at the clearing and saw a host of bodies laying there still, their bodies well preserved thanks to the ask around them. As they approached, Ding appeared to be bowing his head, whether it was respect for the fallen, or disgust towards the sight it wasn't clearly shown.

Without much time to waste, Admiral Lee quickly ordered Commander Ran to begin scouting the area, and a small Fox-Dog appeared from the backpack that the Commander was carrying, and it soon started to sniff around the area. Kajiya, who due to the addition of Admiral Lee was travelling with Morishita now, had disembarked from the Eel-Hound and carefully approached the scene, taking care not to step on any of the bodies, regardless if they were of Earth or Fire.

"Looks like the Earth Kingdom Soldiers were well trained." The Yuyan Archer remarked rather quietly so that Lee could not hear him as he approached the sword-smith.

"Indeed. If it weren't for this 'powerful bender' that tipped the scales somewhat, once could almost argue that both sides were rather evenly matched." Kajiya replied in an equally harsh tone, not wanting to draw criticisms from the Admiral.

Eventually, Ran had discovered something, a series of tracks that looked as though they were heading towards a town off in the distance. This resorted in Lee suggesting that they had to tear down a town just to find one person. Kajiya thought that this was somewhat unnecessary, surely a more subtle method was called for. Morishita shared his sentiments, suggesting that they disguise themselves as Earth Kingdom soldiers. But before Lee could respond, the Archer spotted someone coming, so they quickly hid in the surrounding bushes.

Peeking amongst the leaves, Kajiya could see an old woman approaching the bodies of the Earth Kingdom soldiers, saying a few last rites before using some kind of herb on them. Akuto meanwhile wormed his way out of Kajiya's satchel and sat himself on top of his master's head, trying to see what was going on.

It was then that Lee had the idea of questioning the old lady for information, and after approaching her, motioned the others to follow suit. What followed was a harsh interrogation on a defenceless old woman, something which Kajiya wanted no part of. Through their methods, if one could call them that, some intelligence was acquired. After issuing orders to Commander Ran to locate the trail, the Admiral turned round to face the others.

"As for the old bag..." Lee began in an almost sinister kind of way. "Kajiya, take care of her, we've wasted too much time already."

Kajiya was shocked by the notion of what he had been asked to do. Here we had an old woman who never meant wrong to anyone, but had inadvertently been caught up in something far bigger than herself. A classic case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, if she had been there earlier or later, things may have happened differently.

"Please!" Anya could be heard faintly screaming, looking at Kajiya with a look of despair, perhaps hoping he would be kind to her. Kajiya knew he would likely regret what he was about to say, but he couldn't go through with it.

"Can't you see we've already done enough to her? I mean... just look at her for a second. Let's just carry on with what we came here to do, and let the lady do the same. Spare some dignity for the departed, even in they are our enemies. I'm sure Anya won't tell a soul what transpired here. Will you?" Kajiya asked the lady in a calm voice, showing disgust with the alternative.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Nauja followed Tao through the dark tunnels. Despite her companion having a considerable advantage, she couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. Maybe it was the gloomy atmosphere of the tunnels, but she couldn't wait to get out of there.

Eventually, they came to a halt in front of some kind of mural. Nauja wondered who had made them.

"Supposedly those two were the first Earthbenders." Tao explained. "Two tribes at war, and a tale of love, or some romantic blabber like that. I reckon it was made by Earthbenders to transport weapons in secret in the olden days. Then they just made up some baloney like this to hide it, or for some tourism."

"How interesting." Nauja murmured. Who knew a place like this had such history to it?

They continued onwards, only for Tao to suddenly stop in his tracks.

"Wait... no way... I think there's someone in here! Quick! Follow me". He ran off and Nauja followed the best she could, trying to keep close so she didn't get lost.

Soon Tao motioned for her to keep back, and Nauja obliged, one hand on her waterskin just in case...

 

[DragonofDecay86]

Kohaku stirred, feeling something dig into his shoulder every so sharply, the only thing rousing him from the comatose-like sleep he had fallen into after having escaped from the archers. He had unconsciously been keeping himself warm by huddling into a ball against the wall and keeping most of his body heat centered around his chest. Everything else had just been too well wrapped in clothing to be affected by the lack of sunlight in this cave. He wasn't quite sure how long he had been asleep, but he knew it felt like hours, if not days. A sudden echo of a young man's voice alerted Kohaku to danger he wasn't previously aware of being in.

Kohaku jumped up from the ground, twirling the metal naginata that had just a split-second ago been resting behind him pinned up against the wall in a wall of metal and blade, darting back and trying to put some distance between the voice and himself. He didn't dare use firebending for fear that it was an enemy who might not be entirely aware of who he was yet. Kohaku narrowed his eyes looking for the source of the voice, only to pick up a shadowed figure in the distance, seemingly looking in his direction.

"Who are you?" Kohaku called out, the exhaustion clear in his voice that was hoarse from lack of water and sleep. His naginata broke from its twirl and was taken into a more guarded stance, spread legs and a center of gravity that could thrust the naginata at a moment's notice. The stance was strong despite how exhausted its bearer appeared.

 

[Random Fella]

"Who are you?"

The voice of the young man was one of exhaustion and shock, to Tao's ears.
He sprung to action, taking his weapon into a defensive stance, it was clear he was in some sort of panic, perhaps from being lost in such a place for too long.

I'd better not do anything to set this guy off. Tao thought to himself, examining the situation closer, he had a small bit of training in handling such a scenario after all.

"I'm not here to harm you." Tao responded in a soft voice, slowly moving his hand into an open palm position in front of his face, while at the same time inconspicuously positioning his lower body to an ox stance.

"My name is Tao, and this is Nauja" He motioned his other hand at the girl.

"I'm part of the military, and I can help you get out of this cave, but first I need you to lower your weapon, sir." His inexperience in conversation caused a slight choke in his tone, as he attempted to keep a cool head while talking to the strange young man.

 

[DragonofDecay86]

"I'm not here to harm you."

Kohaku stood there for a moment, his arms aching under the strain of keeping his weapon up while having little to no sleep for so long. There seemed to be sincerity in the man's voice, though he wasn't sure he could fully trust him. A few seconds passed in silence, both parties weary of what the other might do, and Kohaku not willing to lower his weapon for this party to attack him if they were enemies.

"My name is Tao, and this is Nauja." The other man motioned to both himself, and another shadow in the background that Kohaku hadn't clearly seen until it had been pointed out. The figure was much slimmer and more slender than the current figure addressing him, so he concluded it must be a female behind this other man.

"I'm part of the military, and I can help you get out of this cave, but first I need you to lower your weapon, sir." The man stated, though Kohaku could tell he was both stressed and inexperienced from a slight choking in his voice. Kohaku's shoulders lowered and he figured he was too weak to fight these people at the moment. If nothing else he was sure he could escape from them, but after they had led him through the cave and allowed him some respite from traveling alone.

"Tao was it? Who are you and what are you doing in these mountains?" Kohaku said, letting his fighting stance diminish but not completely disappear as he dropped the naginata from a two-handed grip to a slightly less menacing one-handed approach. Kohaku tried to visibly relax his stance, which wasn't hard as his legs groaned under the stress of standing so soon once again.

 

[Random Fella]

Admiral Lee's Squadron, Forest Clearing
Lee's temper quickly infuriated as Kajiya stopped to open his mouth rather than immediately following his order.
Can't you see we've already done enough to her? I mean... Just look at her for a second. Let's just carry on with what we came here to do, and let the lady do the same. Spare some dignity for the departed, even if they are our enemies." Kajiya replied, his voice showing only disgust to the order.
"I'm sure Anya won't tell a soul what transpired here. Will you?" Kajiya asked in a calm voice.

Anya was in too great a state of shock to reply, simply giving weak nods to the group.

Lee took a quick glance at the sobbing woman before turning back to Kajiya. Strangely his voice was not one of frustration as would be expected, but one of an experienced teacher of sort, as if he were passing down some wisdom upon the young man.
"If you think these dirt dwellers as anything more than uncultured animals, then you are a fool." He began.
"To even spare an ounce of dignity for these... Murderers." Lee looked upon the field of bodies, motioning at the bodies of the Earth Nation soldiers. "Would be preposterous."

"It greatly upsets me that the crew following us will have to make this look like some sort of a bandit attack, but these savages can't learn of such attacks. This one won't stay quiet if we let her go." Lee said, pointing at the elderly lady without even looking upon her.

Some of the others stood in silence, in a sort of shock at Kajiya speaking up against his superior, and in surprise that Lee had not struck him down for his insolence.

"Foolish boy." Ding murmured, clearly knowing how most of these scenarios end up. Ran however continued his work, pretending not to observe the scene occurring behind him. Shaw simply laughed at Kajiya. "How can someone so weak be of assistance to the great nation?" He questioned.

Morishita took a vial from his bag, and coated the tip of one of his arrows with it, he then approached Anya and slightly poked it into her arm. Almost instantly the old woman fell down on her back, an observant observer would notice she was still breathing.

"If we want to catch them before they reach the city we had better leave now." He spoke up. "They can deal with her body when they arrive."

Lee collected himself, mounting an Eel-Hound. "Disobey my orders again, and your punishment will be severe." He said as he stared down Kajiya. "Much worse than this wretch received." He commented, taking one last look upon the scene, his face plastered with a look of disgust and slight sorrow.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"If you think these dirt dwellers as anything more than uncultured animals, then you are a fool." Spoke Admiral Lee as he began, his voice not of anger, but one of age and wisdom, though there was no doubt a feeling of contempt towards Kajiya because of his actions. "To even spare an ounce of dignity for these... Murderers." He motioned towards the Earth Kingdom soldiers. "Would be preposterous."

"It greatly upsets me that the crew following us will have to make this look like some sort of a bandit attack, but these savages can't learn of such attacks. This one won't stay quiet if we let her go." He then finished on, pointing towards Anya without even as much as a look. Ding could be seen murmuring something, whereas Commander Shaw simply laughed.

"How can someone so weak be of assistance to the great nation?" He questioned.

You seriously think the Fire Nation is great Commander? You're as blinded by arrogance as the rest of them. If only you had read what I have read, perhaps you would think differently on the matter. Kajiya thought to himself, whilst on the outside, a small smirk appeared on his face, showing that he wasn't going to get a remark like that hurt him.

"Don't judge a book by its cover Commander, I still have a few surprises left in-store."

Meanwhile, out the corner of his eye, Kajiya noticed Morishita taking a vial of colourless liquid out of his bag and coated one of his arrows on it. He then approached Anya without her noticing and lightly poked the arrow into her arm. Almost instantly was its effects felt on her. Anya fell on her back, but Kajiya noticed that she was still breathing.

Deep down he wanted to do something, but feared for the consequences, though his right hand felt a bit warmer than usual for a moment, perhaps he was subconsciously trying to fire-bend. With a wave of his hand though the feeling passed.

"If we want to catch them before they reach the city we had better leave now." The Archer spoke up. "They can deal with her body when they arrive."

"Disobey my orders again, and your punishment will be severe." Lee said as he stared down at Kajiya atop an Eel-Hound. "Much worse than this wretch received."

"Understood sir."

 

[Random Fella]

"Tao was it? Who are you and what are you doing in these mountains?"
Tao relaxed his stance as the young man did, regardless of his exhaustion, he was still a potential threat.

"I've come from the far North of the Earth Kingdom, I've been travelling to Omashu."

Tao turned to Nauja. "Do you have any water he could have?" He asked.

"I met Nauja on the way here, she was headed the same way and the cave is a great shortcut." Tao paused for a moment collecting his thoughts.
"But it requires a specific kind of Earth-Bender to navigate. So, now that I've told you who I am, who are you? And why come into this cave? Everyone around here knows of it's legend."

Admiral Lee's Squadron, Forest Clearing
Taking Morishita's advice, the squad headed out to follow the trail left behind by Jojo.
As they quickly approached a cave however, their situation became a bit more difficult.
Ran approached the cave's entrance, it became clear to him that they had dismounted, then entered.

"They came through here." He announced.
"Then we should follow immediately!" Shaw responded, before looking into the dark abyss of the cave.
"That's the cave of the two lovers..." Morishita interjected. "Anyone who enters becomes lost, forever... It's better we go around."

Lee dismounted from his Eel-Hound and approached the cave's entrance.
"Shaw, how long will the bypass take?"

Pulling a map from the Eel-Hounds satchel, Shaw began to examine the possible bypasses over the cave.
"We could take this route." He pointed to a cliffy zone to the North. "It would take about half a day to cross, compared to a couple hours on foot through the cave."

"We need to cut them off before they reach one of the cities!" Lee demanded.
"We will have to trek through the cave!"

Ding got off from his mounted position to observe the cave from the inside, in a small bit of fright he answered. "Aye, it could take us two hours, or it could take us two years, it's like a maze in there, don't wanna go losin' anyone just to have a chance to save a bit of time."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Following the advice of the archer, the squad followed the trail of Ostrich Horse claw-marks. They soon came across a cave and quickly dismounted from their Eel-Hounds and approached the cave entrance. Morishita quickly stated that it was the Cave of the Two Lovers. Kajiya had heard the legends about this place. It said that the cave, which in hindsight was more like an underground tunnel, was created by the first two Earthbenders who belonged to warring villages, and they constructed the cave to meet in secret.

Kajiya mostly kept to himself after the earlier transgression but listened in on the conversation nonetheless. Apparently, there was a mountain pass that would take them roughly half a day to get over, or they could brave the Cave and be out of it within a few hours. Both had their positives. Whilst the Cave was the quickest route, the overhead pass was a more confirmed path.

"Aye, it could take us two hours, or it could take us two years, it's like a maze in there, don't wanna go losin' anyone just to have a chance to save a bit of time."

"You're not wrong there Master Ding." Said Kajiya. "They say that the Badgermoles who inhabit this place constantly change the network of tunnels about with their Earthbending, making it almost impossible to map out a sure-fire route of them. According to some legend about this place, one must 'trust in love' and relinquish their dependence on torches or any sort of natural lighting, only then will the path out be shown."

"Given how we're Fire Benders, this may be a little difficult. Whilst my opinion may not mean much at the moment, I agree with Ding, whilst this may be the shortest route, the potential for the tunnels to change as we walk them mean we may never actually escape them. I say we take the overhead route. If we do go through here though, let us hope our enemies are confounded by this place."

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Nauja cautiously walked forward, eyeing up the young man. "Do you have any water he could have?"Tao asked, and she nodded in response.

"Sure, just give me a second." She reached into her bag and pulled out a small dish and a spare waterskin. She poured out the water into the dish and handed it over, never taking her eyes off Kohaku.

"I met Nauja on the way here, she was headed the same way and the cave is a great shortcut. But it requires a specific kind of Earth-Bender to navigate. So, now that I've told you who I am, who are you? And why come into this cave? Everyone around here knows of it's legend."

That was a good question, she thought. The guy said he was traveling to Omashu, though why was anyone's guess. If they were going the same way for now, it couldn't hurt to keep an eye on him...

 

[DragonofDecay86]

Kohaku cautiously took the water from Nauja, drinking it gingerly so as not to make himself sick. As he took sips, he remembered that he couldn't actually recall the last time he'd had anything to drink or eat, and another wave of exhaustion surged through his body, though he managed to conceal it from the others. He glanced up only to lock eyes with Nauja, who was cautiously staring at Kohaku. He attempted to give a smile, but could only manage a weak tightening of his mouth, and hoped she would understand he was grateful.

"So, now that I've told you who I am, who are you? And why come into this cave? Everyone around here knows of it's legend."

A heavy brick landed on Kohaku's heart, knowing that he would have to answer this question if he wished to travel with these two and make it out of this godforsaken cave. He pondered for a moment what would be safe to tell these strangers, after all, if worst came to worst once he made it out of this cave he was sure he could escape again, but to where he did not know. Kohaku shook himself mentally, not wanting to stall in the answering of his question lest they grow suspicious of him.

"My name is Kohaku, and I've heard the legends but when I came in here I was very tired so I must not have thought about what cave I was stepping into. I've been traveling abroad for a few days now without much sleep just taking in the sights and I suppose I just grew careless. I'm no bender so I wasn't able to find my way out, the last thing I remember is falling asleep and then you startled me awake." Kohaku said with a sincere tone though his voice was still gruff, his eyes not betraying the faintest glimmer of doubt for the two to pick up on.

What Kohaku said wasn't necessarily a lie, though he wasn't willing to tell anyone the full truth of who he was. That would surely spell disaster for him, as they might simply turn him over to the authorities in the next town, and he couldn't have that at all. All the while Kohaku sipped gingerly from the small dish he had been allowed by Nauja.

 

[Random Fella]

Tao glanced from Nauja to the young man, observing his response as she handed him the water. Thankfully he seemed willing, Tao's impression that he was dehydrated seemed correct in his own mind.

"My name is Kohaku, and I've heard the legends but when I came in here I was very tired so I must not have thought about what cave I was stepping into. I've been traveling abroad for a few days now without much sleep just taking in the sights and I suppose I just grew careless. I'm no bender so I wasn't able to find my way out, the last thing I remember is falling asleep and then you startled me awake."

"I see. Thank you Kohaku" Tao responded, scratching the gruff of his chin, it seemed understandable that he could have mistaken the cave, even with the markings at the door.
It's lucky that I happened to find him in time... he thought to himself.

"I can help you, but you're going to have to trust me." He announced, offering Kohaku a couple of rice buns in his hands.
"If you're able to walk, follow me, the exit isn't far from here." He turned to Nauja. "You too." Loud noises of earth smashing from where Tao and Nauja had come from could be heard, staying in this tunnel wouldn't be wise.
"Are you ready?" He questioned them.

Admiral Lee's Squadron, Tunnel Entrance
"Given how we're Fire Benders, this may be a little difficult. Whilst my opinion may not mean much at the moment, I agree with Ding, whilst this may be the shortest route, the potential for the tunnels to change as we walk them mean we may never actually escape them. I say we take the overhead route. If we do go through here though, let us hope our enemies are confounded by this place."

Lee looked upon the men, the general consensus seemed opposed to entering the tunnel, but what they thought mattered little to him, he was an Admiral, above such opinions.

"He has a point." Shaw announced.
"If we have trouble getting through the cave, we may never get out, but..." He paused.
"But if we take the bypass, we risk them reaching the city." Ran interrupted his train of thought.

Ran stepped forward, examining the pitch black entrance.
"It is only legend, after all." He quivered as he mentioned.

"I will not let some folly legend stop us from our primary objective!" Lee announced.
"You are cowards if you think we can't navigate through a simple tunnel! We are mighty fire nation soldiers! Powerful and intelligent."

Lee began to enter the cave, beckoning the others to follow him, striking a torch as he did so.
There was a crossroad about 20 meters into the cave.
"Ran! Which way did these earthbending cowards head?" He questioned the tracker.

Ran seemed to collect his thoughts, observing the earth beneath them.
"Hmm, they must have headed... Through here!" He pointed to the wall straight in-front of them.

"They headed through the walls eh?" Ding asked in confusion.
"Perhaps the bender knew a shortcut, and paved his own way?" Morishita questioned.

Suddenly a large rumbling and sound of moving earth could be heard in the distance, followed by the right side tunnel strangely slamming shut, earth now covering the path, sounds of the Badger-Moles could also be heard.

"Well now we only have one way to go, but I think we should turn back..." Shaw commented in disbelief of what he had seen.

Lee was clearly in a rage as he stormed out of the cave, getting back on his Eel-Hound, with a slight look of... Fear?
"Fine then! If you cowards want to waste more time, we'll take the scenic route!" He yelled at them.

The others quickly obliged, mounting their Eel-Hounds, and heading for a somewhat rigid bypass.

 

[DragonofDecay86]

"I can help you, but you're going to have to trust me. If you're able to walk, follow me, the exit isn't far from here."

Kohaku nodded and stood up gingerly, his legs still sore from having run so long the last few days. He wasn't about to show these two strangers that he wasn't capable of keeping up with them, lest they decide he wasn't worth the trouble of showing through the caves. He brushed off his dusty clothes, and loosely strapped his naginata to his back in case he had to draw it quickly again, he stood looking at the two strangers and nodded to the male named Tau.

"Are you ready?"

Kohaku nodded and started walking slowly behind the others, all the while listening to the sound of shifting earth and whatever odd noises he heard in the shadows.

 

[Random Fella]

"Okay then." Tao continued. "Stay close to me."
Tao began to walk through the tunnel, often stopping to get a feel of his surroundings, an awkward expression often coming upon his face as he looked back and forth from their path.
They're active today... he thought to himself, as the paths he was choosing continued to be blocked off by the badger-moles. He could simply carve his own path, but upsetting them was never the wisest plan.

As they got closer to the exit the vibrations escalated, becoming more frequent and closer to the three. "Let's hurry..." Tao whispered to the two following him, increasing his pace as he moved toward the last exit.

The light of the sun beamed down the cave's corridor, the entrance was close, as the three came to approach it however, a large wall of earth slammed up in-front of them, Jojo let out a small shriek in fear sticking it's upper body up into the air, scuttling could be heard as the badger-mole responsible continued on with it's business.

Crap Tao thought to himself as he calmed the Ostrich-Horse. Observing the surroundings of the cave, a detour around this wall would take another twenty minutes or so, and even then there's no certainty that they wont run into another one.

Tao turned to the two following him, a slight worry in his eyes.
"We're going to have to go through this one." He stated, glancing back at the wall now in-front of them.
"As soon as I create an opening we'll have to run as fast as possible to get out of this place, got it?"
He looked back at the earth blocking their path.
"They won't be happy with me messing up their tunnels..."

Tao brought himself into an ox-stance position, the wall was quite thick, it would require some energy to bypass properly.
Pulling his hands toward his waste he quickly slammed his fists into the wall, creating a hole large enough for them to easily move through, a large slam as the earth hit the floor.
"Go!" Tao commanded as the shrieks of the badger-mole's could be heard in the distance.

Grabbing Jojo he sprinted toward the light of the exit, the sound of badger-moles came closer and closer. As the three finally came through the exit the sound of screeching from the badger-moles at the tunnel entrance could be heard, before they finally turned back around toward the cave from which they came.

Grabbing some water Tao took a seat to quickly rest.
"Are you two alright?" He asked.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

The walk down the tunnels was rough going, especially considering how often they kept changing directions because of the badger-moles blocking their way. After a while of this, Nauja was about to loose her patience. And when they finally reached the exit, it was blocked off. Nauja felt like she was about to scream. The fact that Jojo was starting to panic, as did Miki in his little bag didn't help.

Then Tao turned towards them. "We're going to have to go through this one. As soon as I create an opening we'll have to run as fast as possible to get out of this place, got it?" He got into a stance and struck the wall, creating a hole big enough for all of them. That was good and all, but the angry shrieks behind them were worrying. "Go!"

Nauja didn't need to be told twice, with a quick, "Hold on Miki!" she began sprinting towards the exit as fast as her legs could take her. Her heart hammered against her chest and her lungs ached...

Thankfully, the small group emerged into the bright sunshine. Once they were safely out, the group took a moment to rest.

"Are you two alright?" Tao asked.

"Fine... just fine..." she wheezed and collapsed to the ground. "I'm just gonna... gonna rest here for a while."

 

[DragonofDecay86]

Kohaku was sore, tired and cold yet he kept walking behind the others at their pace, his breath coming out slightly shallow and ragged as he pushed himself to follow the others without letting them know the poor condition he was in. The walk through the tunnels was not only long and arduous, but it was also damp and cold with the constant sound of monstrous creatures constantly shifting dirt around accompanying their trek through the mountain. Kohaku had almost spoken up to ask when their little journey would be over when he heard and felt the two ahead of him stop. Tao seemed to look over the wall in front of them for a moment before speaking:

"We're going to have to go through this one. As soon as I create an opening we'll have to run as fast as possible to get out of this place, got it?"

Go!"

Kohaku stood there for a second with confusion clear on his face. He didn't quite understand until Tao dropped down into an all familiar stance and thrust the mounds of dirt aside through what could only be earthbending. Kohaku had learned a fair amount about the other benders style of fighting through listening to lectures in his hometown, but he wasn't prepared for Tao's sudden use of it, especially when Tao didn't know anything about Kohaku. He only had a few seconds to dwell on this however before both of the others sprinted forward, and the sound of furious digging through earth and rock could be heard on either side of the very small corridor.

Kohaku lunged forward with them, a few seconds delay of course, and immediately felt his lungs burn and his legs ache as they hadn't expected for even more running. A few short seconds in what could only feel like the tunnel of death and Kohaku burst out into bright sunlight behind the others, collapsing on the ground a few feet away from the others, his hood falling down from his face and his breath coming unevenly. All was not pain and anguish however, the bright beams of sunlight shone down on Kohaku and returned to him a measure of his strength, as he felt the warmth rush through his body and soothe his aching muscles and pounding heart. Slowly his breath returned to normal and he managed to sit up against one of the small boulders that littered the area. He looked at the others, his hood still down revealing a dirtied face and a twisted ponytail that fell down from the back of his head. He didn't look directly at the others however, knowing that his eyes might be a dead giveaway to where he came from if the others were knowledgeable about such things, and judging from Tao's introduction earlier he was sure that they were.

A large ostrich-horse stood beside Tao, whom had just begun drinking from a small container. Kohaku leaned his head back and let his face soak in the sun for a moment, closing his eyes and letting out a sigh, his naginata resting beside him loosely wrapped and easily accessible.

"Are you two alright?"

"Fine... just fine..." Nauja collapsed on the ground, panting and seemingly just as tired as Koahku. "I'm just gonna... gonna rest here for a while."

"Yes, sore and tired but better now that we are out in the sun and not stuck in that cave." Kohaku replied, his eyes still closed as he attempted to soak in all the sun he possibly could, as if the sun was going to disappear at any moment.

 

[Random Fella]

"Yeah, that was too close" Tao replied to the both of them.
"We should be safe now though, they don't like coming out into the sunlight." He continued, referring to the badger-moles.

Laying his hat to the side Tao brushed his hand through his sweat-filled hair, with his other hand he pulled the bag of food from Jojo's side and offered it to the others, taking out some rice for himself.

"So Kohaku." Tao turned to the young man.
"Are you traveling to Omashu? You could travel with us if you like, it's pretty dangerous out here with the recent Fire Nation activities."

Tao looked down for a second in contemplation, before looking back at Kohaku to listen to his reply, he was a strange man, and where did he find such a weapon?

 

[DragonofDecay86]

Kohaku laid there in the sun for a few moments, having heard Tao's query but not quite sure how he was going to deal with it. He knew that he would now have to make a choice, and should he choose wrong there would be serious consequences. He continued sitting there in the sun, his eyes closed as he opened his mouth to speak, trying his best to choose his words carefully and not spill everything.

"Fire Nation activity? What do you mean, have there been many patrols out this way?"

Kohaku hoped that an open ended question as such would allow him to learn a little bit more about the two he had traversed through the caves with. All the while his right hand was loosely touching his naginata, where he could bring it up if the need arose.

 

[Random Fella]

Tao paused for a moment.
Maybe I shouldn't speak of such things so freely. He thought to himself.

"There's been reports of ambushes on Earth-Kingdom troops" Tao stated, clenching his teeth at the slight mistruth he told of the story.

"That's actually why I'm heading to Omashu, I..." Tao paused as the bushes above them began to rustle.
He stood up, focusing himself to observe the situation, whatever it was had left in a hurry, and he was far too worried to assume it was a stray animal.

"Regardless, waiting around get us no further, so, would you like to join us? There is no safer city in this part of the Earth Kingdom."
Tao glanced at Nauja, almost as if to tell her it was time to continue in their travels.