ATLA, In A Darker World

Shiing!

The sword on Luca's back was drawn out slightly to display a part of a gleaming silver blade.

'Alright... Let's get this over with'. Seeing earth kingdom soldiers appear out of the blue, Luca's first reaction was that he had been discovered.

Especially since their immediate reaction was to attack. Looking at those earth spikes sticking out of the floor from his original spot, the chances of him being impaled if he didn't react was not just high.

Since their first reaction was to earthbend, then that meant he had been exposed.

'Was it from the riverboat though?'. Luca wondered inwardly.

'Or was I recognized? No, that shouldn't be the case ....'.

News of his escape was widely known to the Fire nation, but Luca assumed that they would still be looking for him far back. After all, domesticated Messenger hawks weren't over abundant.

Sending one to every Fire Nation Outpost in the colonies wasn't ideal and quite frankly unwise. After all, who knew when an emergency would occur with information needing to be quickly transferred.

Luca knew this, hence his thoughts. Unless something went wrong, The Fire Nation shouldn't even know he was in this region.

And with his escape only being two months ago, outposts this far out from the Fire Islands shouldn't even know of his existence. Without wanted posters and bounty orders being spread in these parts, even Fire Nation soldiers shouldn't know who he was, much less these Earth Kingdom soldiers.

This was why he hadn't revealed his identity back at the Mo Ce Sea Prison Rig. He didn't want word of his location to be spread in the slightest. Giving him enough time to escape as far away as possible.

If the Fire Nation knew the region he was in, then he would need to make remedies to his plans. But that meant that these guys needed to be silenced immediately.

However.....

"Identify yourself" The man at the center spoke, causing him to stop himself from carrying out his next action.

'Wait ..... They don't know who I am'.

Meanwhile .... Luca's movements of placing his hand on the sword handle behind him fell into the sight of the Earthbending Captain.

'A swordsman?' His eyebrows furrowed with unknown thoughts moving through his mind. Then he took a good look at the man before him. One word ... Young. From the looks of it, he was barely old enough to be classified an adult.

Seeing this, he didn't know whether to let down his guard or be more suspicious.

"...". Silence.

However, Contrary to the Captain's expectations, he received no reply. A distance away, the youth was simply looking at them with narrowed eyebrows, the grip on his sword steadfast as if contemplating something.

His frown deepened, feeling something wrong was going on. Just then, Luca who stood silent suddenly raised his gaze upward.

"Four down .... Two up .... Hiding on the trees for a second attack I suppose?" His bland words made the Captain's eyes widen.

'What the ....'.

Rustle! At that moment, a rustling sound emerged from the trees. Following which, two shadows dropped down, landing firmly on the earth.

"Captain, we've surveyed the area. There's no one else around".

"You sure?"

"Positive sir. This isn't an ambush".

'Ambush? Hold on. .... Weren't these guys here to ambush me?'

"Alright. In that case ....". His eyes turned towards the youth once more, narrowing even further with numerous questions in his mind. "I'll repeat myself again. Who the hell are you son? ....".

Hearing this, Luca's eyebrows couldn't get any higher.

'Looks like I misjudged the situation....'. The stirring life force in his body calmed down as he realized what was going on.

'.... They have no idea who I am. In that case ...'.

"..... Funny. Do you guys always ask your opponents to identify themselves after trying to kill them?"

"Huh ...?" A look of bewilderment appeared on the Earthbender's face for a moment before returning to normal.

"Kill? Our attack was meant to restrict your movements with three earth spikes aimed at your vitals so you don't do anything rash". His words prompted Luca to take a look at the earth spikes.

There was a space in the middle just wide enough to allow a human being to stand without moving. As any rash movement would lead to something valuable getting impaled.

"If we wanted you killed, you'd be dead before you could even react".

"I see ...". Luca didn't clear them up on their indirect threat.

"Good". The Earthbending Captain nodded. "But that still doesn't answer my question now, does it?"

"Who are you kid? And what is someone your age doing out here in the woods?"

"That's my business". Luca said with a wary expression and darting eyes.

"And you just attacked me. Why should I answer your question?" The reply made the expressions of the entire unit change.

The Captain's face changed for a slight moment before returning to normal.

"Who the hell do you ....". A private wanted to question back ....

"Stay yourself soldier". The Captain uttered, cutting off his men before they could finish. His eyes drifted back to the boy who still stood there with a calm expression.

"You've got guts kid. I give you that. Captain Lumen. Head of the earth kingdom army's twelfth unit". He said while folding his arms. "That good enough?"

"Captain?" Luca's eyes widened. "Hold on, you're earth kingdom soldiers".

"That's right son. Now I ask again. Who are you and what are you doing out here?" The Earthbender asked with folded arms.

Luca remained silent at first, his facial expressions experiencing slight changes. Then, under their gazes, the half unsheathed blade was pushed back into its sheath behind him.

"Sasuke ..... Earth Kingdom Refugee". Luca replied while taking a slight bow. His hands coming together to form a cupping motion equivalent to a greeting.

At this point, he understood what was going on. His previous assumption that he was discovered was a misjudgement. Coming to think of it, this region wasn't peaceful and was the base of operations for several factions.

When identifying an unknown variable, it was normal to strike first and ask questions Later. After all everyone only had one life.

But that wasn't the point. There was no follow up attack after he dodged, meaning that they truly weren't trying to kill him.

In that case, staining his sword with blood was unnecessary as there were other ways to resolve his current situation. For example, his current actions.

Sure enough, the expressions of the Earthbenders eased significantly. Even the stern looking captain had his face return to normal.

"... Refugee, huh?" The Captain uttered in a low tone, his mood changing visibly. During this period, he had been inspecting Luca from head to toe.

Black clothes, ruffled hair, dusty shoes.

"Where did you come from?"

"... Southwest, Mining Village, across the river. There was a revolt there. Earthbenders freed the town citizens from the Fire Nation before organizing a rebel group.....". He responded while raising his head up.

"... I was one of them".

"Then why did you come here?"

"My .... Family is gone". His fists tightened dramatically as he spoke, portraying his feigned emotions. "I couldn't bear to stay any longer after burying my mother. That place brought me nothing but pain. And getting to Ba Sing Se alive was the last thing she asked of me. I .... Plan to fulfill her dying wish".

"..." The Captain didn't respond. While the faces of his men grew gloomier. Luca didn't know what they were thinking but he was sure that some of them wished they could rip all Firebenders into pieces with their bare hands.

This was the identity he had forged for himself. No one uttered a single word, until ..... "Stand down men. False alarm, just another unlucky soul who's fallen victim to the war".

War was everywhere and refugees fleeing their villages were far too common. This wasn't the first time they had seen something like this.

The earthbenders dropped their stances and stood at ease. Luca nodded inwardly.

"It's alright kid". The Captain spoke while walking towards him. "Every man standing here has lost something or someone important to them at the hands of the Fire Nation". Stopping a distance away, he raised his hand in a friendly gesture.

"We all feel your pain. Isn't that right soldiers".

"Yes sir".

"Nevertheless....". Luca saw his facial features grow stern again. "These parts of the forests aren't safe for travel, especially on foot. How long have you been out here?"

"Two days, give or take".

"Two days?" The reply stunned him. "The spirits must be favoring you then. Running into disguised enemy forces are quite common around here, alongside thieves, murderers and mercenaries".

"Haven't encountered any of em yet. But I can hold my own if I do".

His words caused the Captain to look back at the weapon behind him.

"You're skilled with a sword?"

"I learned from my father".

Shiing. Luca drew the weapon from the sheath completely and spun it around in a skillful display.

"Last thing he taught me the last time I ever saw him". Spewing out lies with a sad face was surprisingly easy.

Shiing! The blade was put back.

"Impressive". The Captain said, acknowledging his skill with the sword. "But no matter how good you are, you won't be any match for a Fire Nation unit on your own. Few refugees make it through these parts. They usually go around the river path. Keep going down that way and you'll eventually get captured and thrown into a Fire Nation Prison detainment".

"Oh ....". A genuine frown emerged on his face this time.

"I had no idea".

At that moment, a corporal from the group arrived while binging six ostrich horses with him.

"Then consider yourself lucky". The Captain said lightly, turned around and walked towards his mount as did the rest of the unit.

"If you're heading for Ba Sing Se, I advise you to go north east. Go over the mountain range and stay away from the river till you get to the end". He uttered while pulling the reins.

"You'll survive that way. There's a town that hasn't fallen to the Fire Nation yet. A regiment of soldiers is stationed there. If you want to get to Ba Sing Se ....". The Captain stopped and turned his gaze around. "Or just get out of the colonies, it's your best and fastest bet".

"You've been out here for two days. Take my advice, take a rest in it before continuing your journey. Sleeping out here for consecutive nights ain't healthy".

Luca listened with interest as he watched the man pull his mount in a certain direction.

A frown emerged on his face as he asked.

"But if that path leads to Fire Nation, why are you going that way".

"That's classified". He uttered with his back facing Luca. "And none of your business as a civilian. We're soldiers, we have a mission to complete".

"So goodluck kid, don't die soon".

"Hyah!" The sound of running feet resounded as the Earthbending unit rode into the exact same direction the captain just told Luca not to.

Looking at the departing ostrich horses, a flash of contemplation passed through Luca's eyes. A few seconds later, he chuckled.

"Well then .....". His hand reached for the scroll tied on his waist.

".... Northeast it is". Opening the scroll and taking a good look, he rolled it up again before adjusting his path and began walking.

A town ... Just what he needed right now.

.....

The heat of the afternoon sun was partially blocked by the tall trees hovering over the path.

The group of earthbenders watched Luca leave from an elevated distance.

"Sir, is it wise to leave him there?"

A corporal asked.

"Would you rather bring him along with us?"

"No sir. That's not what I meant. I was referring to leaving him on his own".

"These are hard times corporal. And many have suffered unjust fates" The Captain's expression didn't change in the slightest.

"We've already done our best to show him the path. Whether he gets there or not and what happens after that, is his problem now".

"But you said it yourself sir. These paths are dangerous, especially at night. He might have been lucky before, but the closer he gets to the town, the greater the risk. He might not even last the night". These paths had been cleared up by Fire Nation soldiers, hence little activity.

It was also the reason why they choose this path in the first place to avoid running into unwanted trouble.

In the Corporal's eyes, this refugee was lucky to stumble upon it and make it to this point without encountering any danger.

But the path to the village would bring that luck to an end.

However ....

"I disagree with that Corporal". The Captain said something that surprised him.

"Sir?"

"You didn't notice, did you?"

"Notice what?"

"The attack". His thoughts went back to their attack. "Three earth spikes from different directions. An unsuspecting opponent, would be trapped easily. He wasn't".

He uttered with rare solemnity. "His speed when he dodged ..... I haven't seen anyone display that level of agility in my thirty years of service".

"And do you really believe he made it to this point without encountering a single enemy?"

The corporal had his eyes widen.

Although this path was considered safer, it was just in comparison to the others. That didn't mean it was danger free. Someone walking for two days without encountering an enemy was improbable. .

"But ..... He's just a swordsman".

"We don't know that".

This time, the captain pulled the reins of the ostrich horses towards a certain direction.

"..... But something is definitely off about this kid".

And then, he flicked it.

"Hyah!"

His men quickly followed.

In the previously quiet forest, the sound of galloping armored ostrich horses could be heard as the Earthbending unit rode east towards their goal.

.....

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