Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legend

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***

-There used to be many tribes that lived here, each with their own land, history, traditions. I won't lie that we lived in peace,' Mulu grinned, even losing his slight savage accent, 'we often shed the blood of our neighbours, even too much.

Stroking one of his snakes, Mulu stretched out his hand and let the pet crawl away somewhere under the ceiling.

-What's changed?

-Shamoka.

-What is it?

-Not what, but who. Shamoka is the leader of our neighbours and he has gathered a large force under his banner. By trickery or force, he has united many tribes into one. With his speeches he is leading them into the abyss, and I cannot allow it.

Mulu's shoulders slumped as he stirred the infusion, occasionally adding new ingredients.

-Are you enemies?

-You could say that. Shamoka thinks we should leave the forests and spread across the peninsula. His ambition and impudent desires will destroy us.

-And you don't want that?

Yui could see that this conversation was unpleasant for his interlocutor, so he had to pull out every word with pincers. Although in general the young man understood what the king would ask of him.

-We need to protect the forest and its inhabitants. To appease the spirits and live in harmony with nature. Outside of Baru, we will only put ourselves in incredible danger by provoking everyone in the neighbourhood.

Stroking another pet that had crawled out at the sound of the voice, Mulu smiled warmly at the snake. Looking into the animal's eyes, the man looked more like a caring father than a ferocious savage.

-So if you become the most important, you won't attack our lands anymore?

The king's face hardened, his rich facial expressions reflecting the hard work of thought. Concentrating on the decoction, the man remained silent for several minutes until he finished the preparation. Rising from his seat, he slowly walked over to Yui's bed and handed him the stinking cup.

-Pour it in, it'll make you feel better.

With a wry smile of thanks, the teen tried to take tiny sips of the drink, but Mulu's strong hand knocked the cup over, forcing the orphan to choke on the nasty stuff that was mixed in the concoction.

The viscous greenish substance had a hard time getting down his oesophagus, causing nauseous urges. Coughing and hiding tears of disgust, Yu tried to smile, thanking his attending physician.

-You're holding up pretty well for a resident of the plains. You can't usually be forced to drink something healthy.

-You talk like that,' the teenager reclined back on his skins with a cough and a nasty feeling in his throat, 'as if you often interact with someone other than your own.

-Thank the spirits- not often.

Laughing at his own words, Mulu headed towards the exit. The smoke from the incense and herbs had almost dissipated, revealing new details of the room. The stone walls were covered with many skins, and many hunting trophies in the form of animal skulls and bones stood around the bed. Various weapons hung on the walls, and in the corner stood helmets of various nations, even centuries old.

-Rest, mole-badger, this conversation is not for a few minutes, and soon you will fall into slumber.

-What-

Before he could finish, Yu felt his body grow weak and his eyes begin to close against his will. Mulu's mighty back flashed in the passage before the darkness engulfed him.

The new awakening was much more pleasant. Not counting the vile odours, the body felt many times better. After a couple of seconds, the teenager was even able to get up and stand on his feet, realising that the effects of the poisoning were no longer affecting his body as much.

Stepping barefoot on the soft skins, he walked through the stone tunnels in search of a way out. He encountered several passageways blocked by skins, but he didn't bother the inhabitants and simply moved on. Eventually daylight appeared around the next corner and the young man bravely walked towards the fresh air.

Stepping out of the stone labyrinth, Yu breathed in the pleasant scent of the forest and water. His lungs grumbled for the first few seconds, refusing to take in such clean air, but after a couple of seconds, he was able to start breathing normally.

Opening his eyes and adjusting to the bright light, the teenager saw dozens of surprised faces in front of him. Men and women, leaving their business behind, stared at the stranger, not knowing how to react. The deafening silence was interrupted by the distant cries of birds and children, and the adult villagers began to slowly surround the plains dweller, blocking his path.

Tensing his whole body and preparing to fend off the attack, Yu flinched when a strong slap on his back hit him. The palm of his hand hitting his bare skin caused an unpleasant burning sensation. With a curse and a twist of his back, he saw Mulu walking around him and waved to the tribesmen with a satisfied smile, allaying their fears. Just one gesture and the wariness disappeared from the eyes of the crowd. Back to their business, they only whispered quietly, but did not express their displeasure.

-Your judgement is highly trusted.

Reaching over to the place of the spanking, Yu furiously brushed his skin, writhing in pain.

-It's only natural. I'm the one who drives away most of the aggressive forest dwellers.

-Driving them away?

-Huh. Well, that's not quite the right word. It's more like asking them not to attack us.

-Can Shamoka do that?

The question was out of Yui's mouth before he even realised what he was asking. Pronouncing the name had a magical effect on everyone around him. Some of the residents who were standing nearby glared menacingly at the guy, while Mulu himself hardened his face. His entire body exuded danger and bloodlust. It took long minutes for the man to relax and come to his senses. Or not...

-This brat can only destroy. He burns out nests and dens with his power, forcing beasts and insects away from his tribe's camp. Maddened by the loss of their kin and home, they attack anyone who gets in their way.

A growl rose in the king's voice. Clenching his fists, he was ready to snap at any second and rush to find his hated enemy, but instead he walked deeper into the village.

-Let's go.

With a wave of his hand, Mulu took a quick step towards the small river that ran through the tribe's camp.

Going around the locals and trying to keep up with the angry guide, Yui did not forget to scrutinise the surroundings. The incredible style from the mix of stone, wooden houses and hide tents blended seamlessly into the overall picture. Fruit trees and berry bushes grew everywhere, and wild vegetables sprouted near some of the buildings. Most surprising of all was the abundance of animals. All sorts of creatures moved quietly among the humans, ignoring the dangerous bipeds and going about their business. All of them were herbivores, but even so, the excess of beasts was disconcerting. During the journey, Yu even had to give way to a herd of bull antelope that strode majestically right in front of him. The large beasts could easily put a grown man on their horns, but they behaved peacefully among people and, especially, children.

The orphan caught up with Mooloo, who was waiting, and stood with him on the edge of the cliff. Large trees sprouted nearby, their mighty branches braiding the edge of the ground as if to support it. Feeling vaguely suspicious, Yuu didn't ask any unnecessary questions and followed the man.

Treading on the branches through the large thickets, the teenager didn't feel any discomfort. Unlike the first few days in the Baru Forest, now it felt as if the trees themselves were opening the path in front of him. Even feeling weak, he wasn't out of breath after the long walk and climbing the trunks of the giants.

-Don't turn round, then you'll get the best impression.

The sly smile on Mulu's face didn't fit with his recent behaviour, but trusting the leader's words, Yu didn't regret it one bit. Climbing onto a branch that hung far away from the others, he turned to face the village.

The view that opened up was impressive. Surely to Mulu it must have been something amazing and unbelievable. The leader of a wild tribe could proudly present his domain, counting on the shock and awe of his guests, and Yuu was not about to disappoint him.

Astonishment and a wide smile appeared on its own, though it was more of a reaction to the king's satisfied face.

Hidden in the foliage, the village presented a rather pitiful sight from afar. The small river running between the houses, which were many times smaller than Yu had imagined, didn't make much of an impression. Against the background of Lu Yang or even Liping, Mulu's house looked like an ordinary peasant village.

After enjoying the view, the chief invited him to sit down directly on a tree branch to continue the previous conversation. A short silence was accompanied by the chirping of insects and the singing of birds.

-You understand what I want, don't you? -Yes.

-Yes.

Without making a fool of himself and forcing the chief to grovel and explain, Yu answered quickly and clearly. He didn't care about Mulu's motives, the most important thing was that one of Baru's political leaders would help him save Sun Ce, the rest didn't matter. Maybe he really wanted to live a traditional life in harmony with nature, or maybe he wanted more power. The teenager turned his attention back to his interlocutor.

-I know why you came to the forest. Shamoka told me that he would soon end the life of one of your leaders.

The thought of Tse's execution swept away all rationality and logic. Without bothering to elaborate, Yu jumped up from his seat.

-When? Where?

Misunderstanding the boy's questions, Mulu bowed his head as he continued his story.

-Last month. He asked me for a meeting in his underground corridors. That was the last time he asked me to join his cause.

There was real hatred in Mulu's words, but the orphan let it pass.

-When will he execute Tse?

Shaking his head negatively, Mulu stood opposite the boy and squeezed his shoulder in confidence.

-If your friend fell into his hands, he's probably already dead.

-You don't know that.

The teenager's cold tone and fierce gaze caused the chief to break the distance. Surprised at this change, the chief once again compared his interlocutor to a mole-badger.

'Usually quiet and calm, but when it comes to the lives of his kin, he becomes aggressive and belligerent. Guan Yu, you are neither man nor beast, something in between, it's a pity you weren't born among us, I'm sure you would have become a great man.'

-However, I will help you if you help me.

-Not just me,' at the chief's questioning look, Yuu made an apologetic face, 'My men are waiting in the forest, on the border with the dangerous territories. We need to pick them up before we head out.