The Second Avatar

Chapter 9: Bloody and Chaotic Battle

The dust settled slowly over the collapsed mountain, painting the sunrise in muted hues of orange and gold. The jagged remains of the bandits' hideout stood in stark contrast to the tranquil forest surrounding it. Yogan, Chen, and the others stepped forward, their faces a mixture of awe and grim determination as they approached Ru Tan. His broad frame seemed even larger silhouetted against the devastation, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath.

Ru Tan turned his gaze to them, wiping the sweat from his brow. "They have no place to hide now," he said, his voice still steady despite his exertion. He gestured toward the ruins with one massive hand. "The next part is up to you."

Chen stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Ru Tan's shoulder. "You've done more than enough, old friend. I'll take care of the rest." His deep voice carried a weight of gratitude, and he gave Ru Tan a slight nod.

But before another word could be spoken, a sharp, feminine voice erupted from the rubble. "What the fuck just happened?"

The voice was wild and filled with both fury and confusion. A second voice, high-pitched but distinctly masculine, answered from another section of the debris. "It had to be an earthquake or something. What else could cause this mess?"

A third voice joined them, this one low and guttural, with a growl like rolling thunder. "Earthquake? My ass. I heard screams outside. Someone did this."

The air seemed to crackle with tension as the trio's voices grew louder, their owners beginning to emerge from beneath the rubble. Yogan and Chen froze, their eyes narrowing as they scanned the ruins.

From the dust and debris, a woman appeared first. Her leather armor was torn, revealing scars that ran like rivers across her sun-kissed skin. Blood streaked her face, and her wild black hair was matted with dust and sweat. She moved with a predator's grace, a myriad of daggers, blades, and throwing knives strapped to her body. Her piercing eyes scanned the scene with a mixture of anger and cunning.

A second figure followed her, towering above everyone else. He was a hulking giant of a man, easily eight feet tall, with muscles so thick they seemed to strain against his simple tunic. His arms, as thick as tree trunks, bore veins that bulged with each movement. A massive blade hung on his back alongside a club that looked capable of crushing boulders. Despite his size, there was a calmness to his expression, though his deep-set eyes burned with restrained fury.

The last figure was a stark contrast to the other two—a lean, wiry man of average height with a face that seemed permanently twisted into a smug smirk. His robes, though torn, bore the same earthy tones as the woman's. He carried an assortment of weapons: twin swords at his hips, daggers across his chest, and a bow slung over his shoulder with a quiver full of arrows. His calculating eyes darted around, missing nothing.

The woman was the first to speak, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Kiva," she said, her tone sharp and commanding. "Leader of the Kiva Bandits."

The giant grunted, crossing his massive arms. "Sorin," he said simply, his voice as deep as a rumble of thunder. "The enforcer."

The wiry man gave a mock bow, his smirk widening. "Daiko. The brains of the operation. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Kiva shot him a glare before turning her attention back to her surroundings. Her sharp eyes quickly assessed the situation, and her expression darkened. The bandits were surrounded—Earth Kingdom guards on all sides, weapons drawn and ready.

"Shit," Daiko muttered under his breath, his smug demeanor faltering. "We're trapped."

Sorin's gaze swept over the guards, then shifted to Kiva. "What now, boss?"

Kiva clenched her fists, her expression hardening. "Shut up, both of you. Let me think." But even as she spoke, tension sparked between the three.

"This is your fault, Daiko!" Sorin growled, his voice a low rumble. "If you hadn't taken so damn long—"

"Oh, don't put this on me, you overgrown ox," Daiko shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe if you hadn't been so loud—"

"Enough!" Kiva's voice boomed, silencing both men. She pointed an accusatory finger at them. "This is Kezin's fault. That little bastard—he's the one who set this whole thing in motion!"

Her words hung in the air for a moment before Yogan stepped forward, his piercing gaze fixed on Kiva. "You," he said sharply, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Where is Monk Nara?"

Kiva turned her glare on him, her eyes narrowing. "Why the fuck would I know where someone like that is?" she snapped. "We don't go picking fights with powerhouses."

"You're lying," Yogan said, his voice rising with frustration. "I saw one of your men using the same money Monk Nara had. Don't deny it."

Before Kiva could respond, Sorin leaned down toward Daiko, his brow furrowing. "Does the kid look familiar to you?"

Daiko's eyes narrowed as he studied Yogan. His expression shifted from confusion to shock as realization dawned on him. "He's an air nomad," Daiko said, his voice trembling slightly. "The robes… the way he talks… Oh, spirits, it's a trap. That bastard Kezin led us into a trap!"

Kiva's eyes widened briefly before narrowing into a deadly glare. "Kezin," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "That little shit—he's the one who gave us the money."

Yogan frowned, confusion flashing across his face. "Does that mean Kezin captured Monk Nara?"

Kiva let out a frustrated groan, throwing her hands up in the air. "Spirits, no! We don't give a fuck about Nara or that brat Kezin. All we wanted was the coin!"

Chen stepped forward then, his voice calm but firm. "Kiva," he said, addressing her directly. "Your men are dead. Whatever plan you had to attack the town and its neighbors—it's over."

Kiva's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What do you mean, 'dead'? We've still got plenty of—"

Her words were cut off as the rubble below them began to shift and stir. From the mountain's collapsed remains, nearly a hundred bandits began to rise, their bodies covered in blood and dust. Despite their injuries, their eyes burned with defiance.

Daiko grinned, his confidence returning. "You might've killed the fools outside, but the real crew was with us inside."

The bandits roared to the sky in unison, their voices echoing through the forest like a battle cry.

The bandits' roar faded into an uneasy silence, the oppressive tension crackling in the air like an unseen storm. Yogan's mind raced as his eyes darted over the sea of bloodied and dust-covered bandits now standing amidst the rubble. Each one bore the same hardened, defiant expressions as their leaders, their weapons glinting faintly in the muted morning light. Yet, even as the threat loomed before him, Yogan's thoughts spiraled elsewhere, tethered to one name that refused to leave his mind: Kezin.

Before the silence could stretch too long, Rilo broke it. He stepped forward, his black robes swaying slightly, and turned to Yogan with a curious glint in his eye. "So, Yogan," he began, his voice calm but carrying a weight that drew attention. "What do you know about this Kezin? He seems to be at the center of this little mess."

Yogan turned to him, momentarily caught off guard by the question. He hesitated, glancing briefly at Chen, Ru Tan, and Jian Lu, all of whom were listening intently. Taking a deep breath, Yogan began, "Kezin… he's a waterbender. He helped us during the fight against the bandits weeks ago, back at the air temple."

"That doesn't sound so bad," Rilo said with a faint smile, though his eyes remained sharp. "If he helped you, why the tension?"

Yogan's fists clenched at his sides. "Because he wasn't helping. Not really. Kezin was playing us from the start. He was the one leading the bandits when they attacked the temple."

Ru Tan's eyes widened slightly. "A double agent?" he muttered, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Crafty."

Yogan nodded. "He pretended to be on our side long enough to earn our trust. Then he betrayed us. His goal wasn't just to raid the temple—it was to steal a spiritual artifact, something left over from the time of the Great Warrior Wan."

"That's a bold claim," Jian Lu said, folding his arms. "What kind of artifact are we talking about?"

Yogan shook his head. "I don't know exactly. I just know that it was some sort of an orb. It enhanced his bending abilities beyond anything I've ever seen. I'm afraid that includes your earlier demonstration Ru Tan."

Their expressions darkened at the words of the young air nomad. His words making them realize the true cunning of this… Kezin.

"From what I could tell it was something ancient and powerful, it had some sort of spiritual energy leftover. Although it didn't last long because the energy ran out, it gave him some sort of placebo effect that amplified his bending even more than the full moon that was already present that night." He added.

"Interesting," Rilo murmured, his tone light, though his eyes flickered with a hint of recognition. He crossed his arms and leaned slightly closer to Yogan. "And you're sure it was him? Kezin, I mean?"

Yogan narrowed his eyes at Rilo. "He stayed with us long enough so yes," he answered. "Why do you ask?"

Rilo shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "No reason. Just curious. You speak of him like you know him well."

Yogan's gaze hardened. There was something about Rilo's tone—an undercurrent of familiarity that Yogan couldn't place but didn't trust. "I know enough," Yogan replied firmly. "Enough to know he is extremely dangerous."

Rilo gave a small, enigmatic nod, his expression unreadable. "Fascinating. Please, go on."

Yogan hesitated, feeling a rising frustration in his chest. Rilo's nonchalance grated against the intensity of the situation. Still, he pressed on. "We thought Kezin was gone after his recent manipulation of my brother into trying to overthrow the temple elders. But if these bandits got their money from him, then…" His voice trailed off as a new thought struck him, chilling in its implications. "Then maybe he's closer than we thought."

Jian Lu exchanged a glance with Chen, his sharp eyes narrowing in contemplation. "If Kezin's after a spiritual artifact, and he already got it but as you mentioned it ran out of the spiritual energy. He wouldn't stick around with these bandits. He'd move on to get more of what he wanted."

"That's what doesn't make sense," Yogan said, his voice tinged with frustration. "If he isn't here, where is he? And what about Monk Nara? If the bandits don't have her…"

"Then where is she?" Chen finished grimly. His large arms were folded tightly across his chest, his jaw set in a hard line. "This just gets messier by the second."

Ru Tan exhaled deeply, his massive frame shifting as he planted his hands on his hips. "It's a game of shadows," he said. "And it seems like this Kezin fellow is a master at playing both sides."

Yogan turned back to Rilo, whose expression hadn't changed. "You said Kezin seemed familiar to you," Yogan pressed, his voice sharpening. "Why? What do you know?"

Rilo raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I didn't say I knew him. Just that he sounds… interesting." His words were light, almost playful, but they didn't ease Yogan's suspicion. If anything, they deepened it.

"Interesting," Yogan repeated, his tone skeptical. "That's all you have to say?"

"For now," Rilo said smoothly, his smirk widening. "But don't let me distract you. Please, continue."

Before Yogan could respond, Kiva's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Are you lot done with your little chat?" she sneered, stepping forward. Her scarred face twisted into a mocking grin. "Because if you're hoping to intimidate us with your gossip, it's not working."

Chen stepped forward then, his towering frame radiating quiet authority. "Your men are surrounded, Kiva. This doesn't have to end in bloodshed."

Kiva barked out a laugh, a harsh, grating sound. "Spare me the lecture, Earth Kingdom dog. You think you've won because of a little rockslide? My people don't scare so easily."

As if on cue, the bandits behind her roared again, their voices filled with defiance. The sound echoed through the clearing, rattling the nerves of even the seasoned guards.

Ru Tan frowned, his expression darkening. "You're outmatched, Kiva. Surrender now, and I'll consider showing mercy."

Kiva's grin widened, her eyes gleaming with reckless confidence. "Mercy? From the likes of you? Don't make me laugh."

Tension rippled through the clearing, the unspoken promise of violence hanging heavy in the air. Yogan's gaze flicked back to the bandits, then to Rilo, who stood silently, his enigmatic smile firmly in place. Somewhere, he knew, Kezin was watching all of this unfold—or worse, manipulating it from the shadows.

The tension shattered like glass as Chen's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Attack! Don't let them regroup!"

The Earth Kingdom guards surged forward, their formation shifting into disciplined lines as the bandits roared in defiance. Rocks tore from the ground at the earthbenders' call, flying through the air like missiles aimed at the mass of bandits. But the bandits were prepared.

The first wave of guards clashed with the ragged but deadly Kiva Bandits. A young earthbender sent a jagged spike of rock shooting toward a wiry bandit armed with twin hatchets. The bandit ducked low, the spike grazing his shoulder, and then leapt forward with frightening speed. His hatchets flashed in the dim light, cutting through the air as he spun and closed the distance. The earthbender raised a stone shield, but the bandit's strikes were ferocious and precise. The first hatchet chipped the shield, and the second buried itself in the bender's shoulder. The young man screamed as blood spattered the ground. The bandit yanked his weapon free and, with a quick, brutal motion, ended the earthbender's cries.

Nearby, an older guard—a nonbender wielding a halberd—engaged a pair of bandits. The first swung a spiked mace at him, which he narrowly dodged, countering with a sweep of his weapon that left the bandit sprawled on the ground, clutching a gaping wound in his side. The second bandit, a woman armed with a chain whip, lashed out, the steel links wrapping around the halberd's shaft. With a sharp tug, she disarmed the guard, who stumbled back. She moved in for the kill, her dagger poised, but the guard drew a short sword from his belt and plunged it into her abdomen as she lunged. The two fell together, her blood pooling beneath them.

The battle raged on, chaotic and merciless.

An earthbender guard, his stance solid, raised his arms to lift a chunk of the ground beneath him. He sent the mass hurtling toward a hulking bandit armed with a war hammer. The bandit roared, swinging his weapon with immense force. The hammer struck the flying rock, shattering it mid-air. Undeterred, the earthbender shifted his footing and sent a rippling wave through the earth, aiming to destabilize the brute. But the bandit was quick for his size. He leapt to the side and closed the distance in a few powerful strides. The earthbender raised a wall to block him, but the hammer smashed through it like paper. The next swing connected with the bender's chest, sending him sprawling, his ribs crushed.

Elsewhere, a younger earthbender paired with a nonbending guard to face off against three bandits. The bender manipulated the earth to create jagged platforms that disoriented the bandits, allowing his partner to strike with her spear. She impaled one bandit through the thigh, dropping him, while the bender collapsed the ground beneath another. The third bandit, armed with a longsword, rushed forward, slashing the spear-wielding guard across the arm before turning on the bender. The earthbender tried to summon a defensive wall, but the blade slashed across his chest before he could finish the movement.

In the center of the chaos, Chen faced off against Kiva.

"You think you can beat me with a sword, old man?" Kiva sneered, her blades gleaming as she circled him.

Chen didn't respond immediately. His broad stance and measured movements spoke volumes. His sword—a heavy, single-edged weapon—gleamed faintly as he raised it. "Let's find out," he said evenly.

Kiva lunged, her movements a blur. Her twin blades danced, striking at Chen from different angles. Chen parried with precise, economical movements, his strength evident in the ease with which he deflected her attacks. But Kiva was relentless. She shifted her approach, feinting left before slicing at his right side. Chen blocked again, but her blade nicked his shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood.

"You're holding back," Kiva growled, her scarred face twisting in anger. "Stop treating me like a child!" She pressed forward with renewed fury, her strikes becoming faster and more unpredictable.

Chen gritted his teeth, his brow furrowing as he maintained his defenses. His earthbending instincts screamed at him to use the ground to his advantage, but he resisted. He wanted to face her on her terms, to prove his worth as a swordsman.

Not far away, Jian Lu squared off against Sorin.

The massive bandit grinned, his hands flexing as he stepped toward Jian Lu. "You're small," he said, his voice a deep rumble. "I'll enjoy breaking you."

Jian Lu smirked, his wiry frame coiled like a spring. "You're big," he replied. "I'll enjoy outsmarting you."

Sorin charged, his fists swinging like wrecking balls. Jian Lu ducked and weaved, his movements precise and calculated. He jabbed at Sorin's ribs, his fists striking like needles, but the giant barely flinched. Sorin swung again, his massive arm grazing Jian Lu's side and sending him staggering.

"You're fast," Sorin admitted, his grin widening. "But speed won't save you forever."

Jian Lu wiped blood from his lip, his sharp eyes never leaving Sorin. "We'll see about that."

The two clashed again, their styles polar opposites. Jian Lu's quick strikes and evasive maneuvers contrasted sharply with Sorin's overwhelming power and endurance.

Meanwhile, Yogan found himself face-to-face with Daiko.

"An airbender, huh?" Daiko said, his voice dripping with amusement. "This should be fun."

Yogan didn't reply. He shifted into a defensive stance, his staff at the ready.

Daiko was the first to move, darting forward with a flurry of strikes from his twin daggers. Yogan used his airbending to propel himself backward, avoiding the blades by inches. He countered with a blast of air, but Daiko sidestepped easily.

"You're predictable," Daiko said, his smirk widening. "All defense, no creativity."

Yogan frowned, focusing his movements as he launched into a series of airbending techniques. He spun his staff, creating gusts of wind that forced Daiko to retreat. But the bandit leader was quick, using his environment to his advantage. He darted between fallen rocks and bodies, his movements fluid and calculated.

As they fought, Yogan's attention drifted momentarily to Rilo. The mysterious warrior moved like water, his movements smooth and deliberate as he evaded attacks from multiple bandits. His waterbending was minimal—a whip of water here, a quick freeze there—but his agility and precision were unmatched.

Something about Rilo's movements struck Yogan as eerily familiar. The way he pivoted, the calculated strikes—it reminded him of Kezin. But Rilo was faster, more polished, and somehow even more dangerous.

That moment of distraction cost Yogan dearly.

Daiko's blade slashed across Yogan's back, tearing through his robes and flesh. Blood sprayed into the air, and Yogan screamed in pain, stumbling forward as his vision blurred.

"Lesson one," Daiko said coldly, stepping back to admire his handiwork. "Never take your eyes off your opponent."

Yogan gritted his teeth, clutching at his bleeding back as he struggled to refocus. The battle raged on around him, but in his mind, only one thought burned: **Kezin.**

The battlefield was chaos incarnate, a swirling maelstrom of screams, clashing weapons, and blood-soaked earth. Earth Kingdom guards, bolstered by their earthbending and sheer numbers, began pressing the advantage against the bandits, who fought with savage desperation. Jagged shards of stone ripped through the air, shattering makeshift shields and splintering bones. Spears thrust and swords slashed, carving bloody paths through the ranks of the ragged bandits. The cries of the dying mingled with the triumphant roars of the victors, the stench of blood and dirt thick in the air.

Near the center of the carnage, Sorin and Jian Lu squared off, their battle drawing the attention of friend and foe alike.

Sorin swung his massive club with terrifying force, the air itself seeming to shudder with each blow. Jian Lu ducked under a horizontal strike, the club smashing into the ground behind him with enough force to send up a cloud of dirt and rock. The wiry man darted forward, landing a quick jab to Sorin's ribs. The giant grunted, more annoyed than hurt, and retaliated with a backhanded swing that caught Jian Lu in the shoulder, sending him skidding back.

"You're quick," Sorin growled, hefting his club over one shoulder, his muscles bulging as blood dripped from a shallow wound on his side. "But you won't last forever."

Jian Lu rolled his shoulder, wincing at the pain but refusing to let it slow him down. "Forever?" he quipped, his voice strained. "I only need a minute."

Sorin bellowed and charged, bringing his club down in a thunderous arc. Jian Lu sidestepped, narrowly avoiding being crushed, and countered with a kick to Sorin's knee. The giant staggered but recovered quickly, swinging his other weapon—a massive, curved sword—in a deadly sweep. Jian Lu twisted his body, the blade grazing his side and slicing through his tunic. Blood welled up from the shallow cut, but he didn't falter.

The two clashed again, their movements a brutal dance of power and precision. Sorin's strikes were wild and overwhelming, forcing Jian Lu to stay on the defensive, dodging and parrying where he could. But every missed attack left Sorin open for a counter, and Jian Lu capitalized on every opportunity. His fists landed sharp, targeted blows to Sorin's ribs, throat, and joints, slowly wearing the giant down.

Sorin roared in frustration, blood streaming from his nose and a gash above his eye. He raised his club high, aiming to crush Jian Lu once and for all. But as he brought it down, Jian Lu rolled to the side and surged forward, driving his knee into Sorin's gut. The giant doubled over, coughing up blood, and Jian Lu followed with a vicious uppercut that snapped Sorin's head back.

For a moment, the battlefield seemed to hold its breath as Sorin staggered, his massive frame swaying like a felled tree. But the giant wasn't finished. With a defiant roar, he swung his sword in a wide arc, catching Jian Lu across the thigh. The blow sent the smaller man tumbling to the ground, his leg gushing blood.

"You're tough," Jian Lu gasped, dragging himself upright, his vision swimming. "But so am I."

With a surge of determination, he lunged at Sorin, avoiding the club's crushing weight as it slammed into the ground beside him. Jian Lu's fists became blurs, striking Sorin's torso, neck, and face in rapid succession. The giant swung his sword wildly, but his strength was fading. Blood poured from his wounds, staining the earth beneath him.

Finally, Jian Lu saw his opening. Ducking under a desperate swing of the sword, he delivered a devastating punch to Sorin's throat, crushing his windpipe. The giant choked, his hands clawing at his neck as he stumbled backward. Jian Lu followed up with a spinning kick to the side of Sorin's head, the impact echoing across the battlefield.

Sorin crumpled to his knees, his massive body swaying as his vision dimmed. He looked up at Jian Lu, his expression a mixture of rage and resignation. With one final effort, Sorin reached for his club, but his strength failed him.

Jian Lu stood over the fallen giant, blood dripping from his fists and face. "It's over," he said quietly.

Sorin's body slumped forward, lifeless, and the battlefield erupted in stunned silence.

The bandits froze, their morale shattering like glass as they saw their enforcer fall. Sorin's death reverberated across the battlefield, a stark reminder of their own mortality. Whispers spread through their ranks, and for the first time, their defiance wavered.

Chen seized the moment, his voice booming above the din. "Your strongest has fallen!" he declared, turning back to Kiva. "Do you still want to test me, Kiva? I've proven I'm a swordsman. Now let me show you the strength of an earthbender!"

Kiva's eyes narrowed as Chen shifted his stance, his connection to the earth palpable. He stomped the ground, sending a ripple through the earth that threw her off balance. She recovered quickly, lunging forward with her twin blades, but Chen met her head-on.

Combining his swordsmanship with his earthbending, Chen became a force of nature. His strikes were powerful and deliberate, each one backed by the unyielding strength of the earth. When Kiva darted to his side, he raised a wall of stone to block her attack. When she leapt into the air, he shattered the ground beneath her with a single stomp, forcing her to land awkwardly.

"You bastard!" Kiva spat, her movements growing frantic. "Fight me fairly!"

"This is fair," Chen replied coldly. "You wanted to see my strength, and now you have."

Kiva's fury grew, but it was clear she was losing ground. Chen's relentless assault left her no room to breathe. Her strikes grew sloppy, and her confidence began to crack.

Watching from the edge of the battlefield, Daiko's sharp mind raced. He saw Sorin's lifeless body, saw Kiva being overwhelmed, and knew the battle was lost. The bandits were falling like leaves in a storm, and the tide would not turn in their favor.

"It's time to make like a tree," Daiko muttered under his breath, his smirk fading. "And leave."

He cast a glance at Yogan, who was still bleeding but managing to hold his ground. With a calculated step backward, Daiko began to slip away into the chaos, his mind already planning his escape.

But even as he retreated, his gaze flicked to Rilo, who stood like a shadow near Ru Tan. For a moment, their eyes met, and Daiko hesitated. There was something unnervingly familiar about Rilo's stance, his movements.

Shaking off the thought, Daiko turned and disappeared into the smoke and blood of the battlefield, leaving his allies to face the inevitable alone.

[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]