Avatar Crossroads: Crucible Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Cry Wolf

”Is it true that out that they can fly? That they have ships and”-
“Yes, I’ve actually been on one myself… it’s wonderful.”
“I hope I can do it someday”-
“You will son, I promise.”
He sat at the table within the White Lotus airship as it flew through the sky, an impressive display of technical prowess. The feeling of flight was uncomfortable and more or less… being here in general was hard to accept. A half empty glass of water sat towards him, vibrating every few seconds, whether it came from personnel on the ship, or turbulence. His long black hair remained in its knot, with a few frayed hairs. Javik would be lying if he said he slept like a happy child.
He fidgeted with one of the zippers on his coat. It was much like the coat he had worn as a member of the strikers, as a uniform, but changed in the slightest ways to accommodate his work for OWL. He wouldn’t be caught dead working as an agent in those robes, he could stand ceremonies, but not fighting. When he joined over five years ago, he discovered there were many that shared his thoughts on the subject of uniform. Despite her sociopathic tendencies, Maya Alrick had shown many ways for the White Lotus to modernize. Ventin Beck would incorporate at least some of his predecessor’s ideals (thankfully not the sociopathic ones).
The waterbender turned at another tremor, looking to see it was another passenger, a woman who was shorter than him, but was hundreds of times more important.
“I wondered when you’d leave your cabin.” The Avatar sat down across from him, looking fully rested.
“I take sleep when I can get it,” As he understood it, Avatar Korra had been rather busy, her time in Northern Water Tribe was actually supposed to be vacation. “How close are we?”
“We’ve crossed the border, just a matter of minutes.” He observed the woman, eying her short hair and water-tribe styled clothing, she wore what appeared to be a brown backing to her pants, held together by a belt. “Bai Zhu will be there to meet us.” The Avatar nodded at the explanation, scrunching her eyes,
“Well then, seems we have time to talk.” She expressed, sarcastically.  Javik peered away, uninterested, finding himself studying another zipper. “It’s strange,” Javik turned, “I’ve seen a lot of you in the past three months, but… I know so little about you.”
“I’d prefer to keep it that way.” This didn’t faze the avatar at all, she was used to this loner behavior… he reminded Korra of her cousins, only not as ‘playful’. “Nothing personal.”
“No I get it, you must have a lot on your mind… what with Raiko and the Strikers.”
“Exactly.” He resorted. She didn’t try to force anything out of him, she wasn’t here to do that. Korra was curious about one thing, however.
“I didn’t realize you knew Bai Zhu.”
“WE HAVE REACHED REPUBLIC CITY, PREPARING TO APPROACH COMPOUND!”
Javik stood up and the two made their way towards the bridge of the ship, to look out to Republic City.
“Never ceases to amaze me.” The Avatar smiled, while Javik was awestruck.
It was a sprawling metropolis, rivaling that of the Firenation’s capital, resting at the basin of two mountains facing the sea. The city he had recalled being in six years ago was covered with spirit vines, turned into one gigantic spirit wild, buildings overtaken by nature and spirits. At the center of the wild was a beam of yellow light, shooting upwards into oblivion… the spirit portal.
It seemed to be a spectrum of buildings nearest to the portal were in disrepair, while nearing to the edge of the land were edifices unaffected by the wilds, with people like ants moving through them. The City continued downtown, where the presence of spirit wilds was less noticed. Republic City was still the looming metropolis that his mother loved to tell him about.
To the edge of the city, nearing the actual mountains they were crossing, a massive movement to rebuild was in place… Raiko’s plan to expand Republic City was going perfectly. In the center of the new mass of buildings was an open compound… referred to as the headquarters the Order of the White Lotus’s Republic City chapter… newly opened after Kuvira’s defeat. It rivaled the size of Compound Zeta in the Northern Water Tribe.
Javik couldn’t help but be surprised by how much this city had changed since the Avatar took up residence there. Javik glanced to Korra, studying her jovial expression, it casually continued to ring in how powerful she must have been, and didn’t even realize.
The airship docked within the compound easily. The agent and his companion made their way off of it. People walked past them, stepping off and onto the ship, briefly obscuring a short old man facing the ramp. He wore the traditional uniform of the white lotus, but he looked at home in it. His hair was a grizzly gray color, meshing with his tanned skin, his eyes were a neurotic graying blue. He had a mole on the left side of his face, close to his nose… you couldn’t miss it.
“I knew you’d be late Agent Kato, didn’t realize it’d be this late.” Javik and Korra reached him, to which he noticed. “Though it must have been for good reason, convincing the Avatar to join you.”
“Hello Bai Zhu.” Korra muttered awkwardly towards this ‘old acquaintance’ “How are you?”
“Busy, but that is unavoidable as of late… which you are three hours late.” He replied, leading the two away from the airship. Bai Zhu seemed to walk quickly for a man as old as he was. “Luckily President Raiko had to cancel for today, so we rescheduled for the same time tomorrow. Thankfully he’s not as extreme as Chief Mother Malina, setting you back a month… all for nothing it seems.” Javik scowled.
“Beck tried to explain but she wouldn’t hear any of it.”
“Makes sense, I already said they wouldn’t listen because of their own misgivings about our organization as of late, but you wanted to try anyways.” Before Javik could rebuttal, Bai Zhu looked to Korra. “Agent Kato has a room to stay in, do I need to arrange a room for you, Avatar?”
“That won’t be necessary, I was planning to surprise Asami”-
“Very good.” Bai Zhu replied, uninterested. The old man paused as they reached the main office, inside was a man talking to Bai Zhu’s secretary. He was a bald middle aged man with a thin triangle like beard, garbed in a robe much like those associated with airbenders… blue arrow tattoos adorned his head, Javik was surprised to actually see him in person.
Master Tenzin, Raiko’s air nation adviser and the second most powerful airbender in the world… Korra’s mentor. Korra was also surprised to see him here, waiting for her.
“Tenzin?” The man turned away from the associate, with a smile.
“Bai Zhu called and I figured I could come pick you up.” He replied, approaching her with a hug, but she patted his arm and stepped away. Tenzin offered his hand to Javik, “You must be Agent Kato. I suppose I have you to thank for safeguarding Shiloh.” Javik shook the man’s hand, finding it calm and at peace… much removed from Bai Zhu who was ever neurotic. “Thank you for helping Aimee and her friend.”
“It’s no problem.” Korra looked back to Bai Zhu with a raised eyebrow.
“How come you didn’t tell me he was here?”
“Well, he isn’t entirely here just for you, Miss Avatar.” Tenzin turned.
“Bai Zhu requested I assist Agent Kato in discussing this matter with the President personally.” Korra lowered her bottom lip in a pout.
“I thought I was helping him…” Bai Zhu turned with a slim shrug.
“I suppose you just… how did you say it? ‘Gotta deal with it’.” The Avatar rolled her eyes at that recollection, while Javik was confused.
Was that some kind of inside joke?

MEANWHILE

“You know, when you said take the path through the mountains… I didn’t think it’d be so ‘not mountainy’.” Saren contemplated as the three walked down the path together. Naava rolled her eyes, annoyed by the former waterbender’s candor. Connor led ahead the two, eyes open as they treaded the path. They had only been travelling for what must have been a day, and he was already finding himself regretting it.
“What do you expect? The actual mountains don’t start until later, when we reach the Northern Air Temple.”
“And why exactly are we taking this northeastern path to go through the air temple when we could just walked the normal eastern path?” Connor looked back, Naava groaned.
“Because if we reach the temple, we might be able to hitch a ride and get to Ba Sing Se quicker.” Saren nodded to that.
“I for one like the idea of less walking.” He stated, studying a map they had purchased. It showed the entire earth kingdom, though he was more focused on the Northern area of it. “Hm, apparently because of the mountains, there’s not as many towns as there are in the south. Though there are a few communities up north.” He compared the map to looking left, seeing a few miles away was where the ocean started.
“How about any landmarks?” Connor asked, “See any of them?”
“Well actually,” Saren added, “it says there’s a river that we’ll cross before seeing the air temple, and”-
“Why are you even looking at that thing?” Naava asked, Saren glanced back, “We just need to keep going down the path, a map won’t really help here.”
“I know, but… I need something to do.” Naava looked away, Ivan was currently sleeping on her backpack, treating it as a sort of nest. It was the reason Connor was at the front of their ‘caravan,’ so that he wouldn’t have to deal with Ivan looking at him all the time.
The bird was very judgmental.
“Wouldn’t want to see you start pouring drinks again.” Saren dropped the map into his bag. “Connor mentioned you being a bartender.”
“Haha, were you just waiting all day to mention that?” Naava grinned.
“I might have, bartender”- Naava found herself stepping into Connor, waking up the bird on her backpack as he stood there, staring forward. “Why aren’t you moving?” Saren drew closer, and Connor pointed down the path, seeing an animal standing there on all fours, staring right at the group. “Is that a”-
“Armadillo wolf.” Connor replied, eyes tightening while Saren studied it. He looked like a dog with natural armored plating, he was gray, but with azure coloring (comparable to Saren’s eyes). He had seen pictures of the animal before, but never one up close. The armadillo wolf was bigger than dogs or even normal wolves, and it looked close to practically lashing forward.  “Nasty mutts, once saw one almost tear a guy’s leg off.” Naava blinked.
“I thought they were native mostly to Earth Kingdom forests.”
“Mostly, I suppose.” The bartender replied, causing Naava to grown. He was about to pull his sword from its scabbard, when Connor stopped him. “Maybe we can scare him off and”-
“No, if there’s one here, there’s bound to be more just waiting around the corner.”
“Yeah, they hunt in packs.” Naava added. The dog continued snarling towards them, stepping off the path, still focusing on them. “We just need to stand our ground and walk away.” She whispered. The wolf stepped further from the path, giving them space to continue walking forward. Ivan was the only one not frightened by the concept of this animal… then again he could fly. So as they nearly got away, Ivan let out a loud-
“KAWH!”
“Seriously?” Connor asked,
“ARF ARF!” The armadillo wolf barked towards Naava’s pet, about to edge forward when Saren shot in-between, arms raised, using his height to his advantage.
Despite his status as a nonbender, he looked like more of a threat to this dog than his companions (and the bird) did.
“Move you idiot, that thing will eat you!” Naava whispered hoarsely… Saren ignored her, eying the dog.
“Just move, give us some space.” He replied, Connor raised an eyebrow, “This guy looks different”-
“Saren, you’ve never even seen one in person, let alone”-
“Just trust me, okay!?” The brunette added, Connor sighed, before grabbing Naava’s hand and pulling back, Ivan screeched again, but Saren broke the distance once more, pausing the animal. “Um… he-hey buddy…. It’s okay, it’s all fine.” He replied, “Nobody’s here to”-
“ARF!” it screeched again, quickly forcing the two friends to doubt their companion… and Ivan just didn’t care. Connor was about to intervene with a fist full of flames when Saren caught him again. The dog seemed to become use to seeing the bartender, taking him for less of a threat. It’s then Saren heard something, a groaning. Connor turned, eying Naava.
“Really, you’re hungry after all you ate for breakfast?”
“That wasn’t me you jerk.” Saren turned from the bickering, eying the dog.
“So you’re hungry then.” He made the connection, from his pocket he pulled something, a small piece of meat, wrapped in opened plastic. The dog became extremely curious about this new arrival, just starting to smell it. He realized it was seal meat. “Y-you want some?” the dog blinked, before Saren removed the meat from the plastic, tossing the piece to the grass in front of him.
“ARF-ARF!”
“It’s for you!” Saren then added, and the dog looked down, almost drooling on the salted meat, with a sharp bite he began to eat, excited. Saren smiled as the dog turned his guard down. “Yeah… yeah you’re a good boy.”
“Kawh!” Ivan went again, jealous of the food being given away, while Connor and Naava remained fixated on their companion. The armadillo wolf was trusting of Saren, finishing up the piece and sitting down on his hind legs. He panted with a happy look that looked oddly dopey. Saren was just about to pet his new friend, when Connor grabbed his other arm, pulling him away.
“Connor!” Saren complained, while the dog seemed a little disappointed to see him go so soon.
“Sorry Saren, can’t risk you getting rid of more of our food.” Naava nodded.
“Yeah, maybe you can come back and let him eat you after I get you to Republic City.” Saren pouted, watching the dog remain sitting there, disappearing from sight.
That was the first friend he had made on this journey, and wouldn’t be the last.

MEANWHILE

Javik found his arms crossed, eying Bai Zhu as the Avatar left with her mentor… they had a quick discussion over Raiko, but that was it.
“He’s on our side, right?”
“Of course he is,” Bai Zhu replied, finding himself settling at his desk while Javik sat across from him. “Raiko will listen to reason, and that’s what Tenzin provides.” Javik raised an eyebrow, “You don’t believe he’s committed to the cause?”
“A few months ago, last time I saw you, you weren’t.”
“That’s because I believed with Abhik Nishi behind bars, the threat was finished, but now with this sudden resurgence, this Silas Akiko… you haven’t met him, have you?”
“Never got the chance, Abhik was very particular about who got to meet his benefactor. I may have been his friend, but…” Bai Zhu nodded with a sigh. “Something wrong?”
“I suppose I should be thanking you for putting your protégé into the Northern Water Tribe to reveal Maya’s doings… though now that’s all into the light, it has damaged our standing very much so.”
“I’m sure Shiki didn’t intend for that.”
“Oh I’m certain of that… it’d just be more convenient to have the world on our side right now.”
“I suppose the other Directors share your sentiment.”
“They do… Lord Zuko has never let public opinion get to him, but the others… including the Republic’s new Director Lao, feel they are being cornered by anti-lotus sentiment.”
“How have the other world leaders been reacting?”
“King Wu couldn’t care less… he’d rather focus on his dream of the Earth Kingdom becoming a democracy. Unless the Strikers are marching on his front door he won’t move a finger… though his advisor and Firelord Izumi are more sympathetic, but the firelord is still maintaining her stance on having no boots on foreign soil, much like Malina and her children… at least we have Tonraq’s support.”
“Good to have half of the Water Tribe on our side…”
“There’s actually been report in the South of a private research facility having been attacked by the strikers… hidden in the everstorm, around the time frame of the attack there had been sightings of a firebender who bent green fire.”
“What kind of research would bring Silas to the Southern Water Tribe?”
“I don’t know, but he wasn’t alone… we found these in the snow, lost.” Bai Zhu tossed a few photos forward, revealing what appeared to be kunai knives. “Clearly purchased in bulk from the firenation, all former identification has been wiped away, apart from this.” Bai Zhu pointed towards writing inscribed to the knives… “She-Wolf.” Javik scowled, “Clearly Victoria Nase has been busy, and may know a thing or two about this attack.”
“It’d fit her MO, she hates waterbenders, always has.” Javik turned, “So this attack was just discovered?”
“Yes, all identification of the base has vanished, burned away, all that’s left is an empty structure… no bodies… we dated the attack to have happened maybe one or two months ago.” Javik scowled, “Perhaps I shouldn’t have told you about this,” Javik turned, “You need to focus on our talk with Raiko.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Something seems off about you,” Bai Zhu then replied, “You have something on your mind… speak.” Javik looked away.
“It’s just… even if we do get Raiko’s help, what then?” He leaned back, “Silas is probably counting on the white lotus to try and unite against him. The fact he doesn’t have a main base of operations makes him even more difficult to track, and all these attacks spread across the earth kingdom means he’s trying to be as unpredictable as possible…”
“We’ll stop him.” Bai Zhu replied, “I don’t doubt it… though you seem to”-
“Silas is a Conduit, a mortal link between the realm of man and spirit, he’s no doubt been preparing for years, while we’re waving around blindly… he’s not one to give up.”
“Yes, there may be a cost, but we’re not ones to give up.” Javik turned, breathing staggered.

”What have we done?” He asked, staring at the burning compound while their leader didn’t turn.
“We did what we had to do… so they can’t hurt anyone ever again.” Ronin uttered.
“We killed them all.” He continued.
“Do you miss living under their boots?” Ferris contributed.
“Of course he doesn’t, he was born into it”-
“Shut up Kaiju!”
“So… we’re really free, now?” The scarred one asked, face covered by a hood, the girl’s hand caught his shoulder.
“Yes Traven, we are.”
“But… at what cost?” Javik then asked, watching as the only home he had ever known turned to ash.

“Javik?” The old man asked, causing the waterbender to turn, “You faded out, for a moment.”
“My apologies sir…”
“I was asking if you were regretting leaving the strikers at this point.”
“No, I’m not.” Javik replied, “Your people have been good to me, and to my protégé.”
“You both have proven your worth in my eyes.” Bai Zhu stood up, “you can head over to your room, try and get some sleep… you’ll need it.” Javik nodded, about to step away, before noticing something else on Bai Zhu’s desk… files he had brought with him from the Southern Water Tribe.
“What are those?”
“Oh nothing really…” the old man shrugged, “I’ve been asked to start considering a candidate to take my place.” Javik turned, surprised, “I have spent a long time as the Southern Director… after this striker business is handled, I’m looking forward to a long retirement.” Javik eyed this oddly. At no point did Bai Zhu’s age ever be considered a factor.
“I wish you luck sir.”
“Not as much luck as I wish you.” Javik was about to walk away, when Bai Zhu stopped him, one last time. “Also, I don’t know how to mention it to you, but.” Javik turned, “I know what’s on your mind.”
“…”
“I wouldn’t tell you this if it weren’t necessary for your well-being, but Takeda was put in the prison they built here… Perhaps you should see him.” Javik found himself scowling at that.
The idea to go see Ronin in prison… the same prison Abhik Nishi was in (though nobody was allowed to see him).
“What, you think I’m going to crack?”
“Better me than you.” Bai Zhu replied, watching as Javik walked away.

FIVE HOURS LATER

The group was huddled around a fire Connor built, they had finished supper and Connor took the night watch.
“Okay admit it,” Saren eyed the earthbender. “Some part of you had to think me feeding that armadillo wolf was cool.”
“Sure some small part, and the other part was raving about how much of an idiot you were.” Naava replied, Saren rolled his eyes, looking back to the fire. The earthbender girl sat toward her backpack, petting the messenger hawk.
“Well I wouldn’t have had to do it if your bird didn’t get him mad.”
“Oh don’t worry, Ivan will be punished accordingly.” Connor sighed, sitting away from them.
“Yeah right… if by punishment you mean ‘feed him more,’ than yeah… total punishment.” Naava rolled her eyes.
“Aren’t you supposed to be keeping watch?” Connor looked back while Saren remained focused on the earthbender. It was interesting to watch how the fire flickered over her face, with miniscule shadows appearing over them and over their campsite. He noticed her candor with the bird.
“Is he just your baby or something?”
“Something like that… he’s important to me.” Saren sat back, as she scratched Ivan’s plume. “I don’t have him completely just as a pet… he’s my link home.”
“To the Shen Jing?” Saren recalled Naava mentioning her home.
“Yeah… the only way I can be in contact with my family and feel safe about it… plus my brother loves the bird.”
“Oh, so you have a brother.” Naava paused, realizing she just mentioned that to him.
“Yeah… I do, not much to say on that subject. What about you, bartender… any siblings?”
“I have a younger sister.”
“Oh, what’s her name?”
“What’s your brother’s name?” Naava rolled her eyes at that, “If that’s not too much to say on the subject?”
“His name’s Lune, he’s eleven… you?”
“Nadia… should be twenty.”
“So where does she live?”
“Um… well,” Saren scratched his neck, “I’m not quite sure.”
“Wow… so when Connor talked about you being alone for five years, he also included with family.” Saren frowned. “So is she a bartender too?”
“No,”
“Good guess.” Saren looked away from her, tiring from the talk. He glanced up, noticing the moon looming down over the nearby mountains… it felt calming to look at. He didn’t know why, but it lent a feeling of relief. She rambled on about age restrictions and Saren ignored her, which she turned at. “Hello? Something up?” He turned.
“Nothing… just, thinking.” The earthbender raised an eyebrow.
“What, is that just what solitary people do, sit around and look at the moon?”
“It’s what Ryuu did all the time.” Connor then muttered, “Another old striker friend of mine”-
“I know, I met him.” Naava groaned. She found herself standing up from the fire, stretching her right arm and then left.
“I was referring that to Saren,” Connor replied, the girl rolled her eyes.
“Whatever.” She turned, kneeling to her backpack and pulling out the sleeping bag. “I’m getting some sleep, you two weirdoes can sit around and look at the stars or whatever… come on Ivan.”
Saren watched her settle away, glancing back to Connor.
“She’s a little abrasive.”
“I know, she doesn’t know if she can trust you yet… takes a while but she can be really sweet.”
“How long did it take for her to be nice to you?”
“Zero days after joining the strikers.” Connor frowned, and Saren slowly realized what that meant. “After Eron…”
“Oh, I…”
“It’s okay.” Connor looked away, “At least it means she can be nice to people.” The two looked back to Naava, she was bundled inside the sleeping bag with Ivan settled on top of her. She appeared fast asleep, with the only change in clothing being her shirt put to the side… which was something she told the two on the first night to never mess with (she directed it entirely to Saren). They could see the back of her head, with messy tatters of black hair falling onto a rugged thin pillow.
She also snored, with the bird rising and lowering at every breath.
“Shouldn’t the fact that she allows me to sleep within the same vicinity of her means she trusts me at least a little?” Connor rolled his eyes, looking away.
“No, that’s what the bird is for… he sees everything.” At that, Connor tried to sound spooky, “Or me whenever I mess up.” As Saren turned back, he realized that Ivan wasn’t even focusing on himself, he was staring straight at Connor.
“That bird really hates you.”
“Yes, he does.” Connor replied, watching as Saren stood up, “You going to bed?”
“I think so… we should reach the air temple by tomorrow.”
“Sleep tight.” Connor looked away, “Something tells me that tomorrow’s gonna be a long day.”

MEANWHILE

He couldn’t take in what he had just witnessed… he couldn’t comprehend it, watching their handlers put down so many of the people he had grown up knowing. His mother hid him away, trying to help others who wanted no part in this.
And now after it was all over, and the guards were victorious, he searched franticly for her.
“Mom? Mom!?” The boy asked, diverting his eyes away from the people on the floor who didn’t wake up. As he continued pacing, he looked forward, seeing a girl with short platinum blond hair kneeling at one of the bodies, obscuring its face. “Naomi?” the girl turned back to him, a few thin scars covering her delicate face. She was two years younger than him, and had actually seen some of the outside world, she was close to his mother.
“Javik…” She muttered, gray eyes communicating everything. “I…” He looked past her, seeing the woman on the ground, on her arm was a brand just like the ones they had. The boy recognized this to be his mother, he edged past his friend, kneeling beside the woman, hand confusedly scraping her cheek. The woman was faint, barely heaving.
“Mon, say something, mom”- Her brown eyes blinked evenly.
“It’ll… get better... I promise” she whispered, falling to the side, as if the light had faded away. Naomi tried to grab for his shoulder, but he didn’t notice, feeling his face beginning to well up.
“Please don’t”-
“She’s gone.” The girl replied, “She saved me from-” the girl teared up solemnly, trying to hug the boy, “I’m so sorry… Javik I”-
“Mom!”

Kato woke from the nightmare, hands shaking and brow sacked with sweat. Sleep had never been easy for him, it was as if he watched the same moment every time he closed his eyes… or some variant of the place he had spent the first twenty-three years of his life. He couldn’t forget the look on Naomi’s face, how she tried to be strong for him.
He remained sitting up, hand gripping his forehead with a groan… thinking of what happened to her, how she died only less than a year ago… his mother’s sacrifice proved in vain. He found himself looking away, studying the moon as it gleamed out towards him… a slim crescent high in the sky.
He never liked the moon, despite the extra strength it gave his bending. He looked away, thinking on Bai Zhu, the only person beside Kokoro in the White Lotus who fully knew about the first three fourths of his life… about how he was a slave. The moment he told Bai Zhu roughly four years ago, a bond had formed between them.
It was because the old man was mortified, knowing a child would grow up the way Javik did.
”The past can’t hurt you anymore… you need to let it go.”
“I can’t.”
“You must… or it’ll destroy you. The same way it destroyed Ronin Takeda…”

SEVERAL HOURS LATER

The president was quick to shake his hand as he entered the new capital building. The old city hall had been overtaken even further by spirit vines, so a new one was erected… Raiko was happy to no longer have a tree in his office. Javik was surprised to see how well kept the President was, he wore a purple colored suit over a bright yellow dress shirt, with a pin on the hemmed edge of the suit. Pants were also purple, and oddly enough it meshed well with the man’s glasses, sitting on top a thick mustache.
“It’s good to finally meet you, Agent Kato.” Javik nodded,
“You too, sir.” Bai Zhu, Tenzin, and Korra sat in separate chairs, facing the president. “I apologize Director Lao couldn’t be in attendance.” She was actually busy in the Firenation, assisting Lord Zuko with a domestic matter.
“It’s no issue, Buttercup always wanted me to get out and meet new people.” Clearly a joke, Raiko likely had much on his mind, “Now… about these strikers?” Javik nodded.
“For the past five years the Striker movement has slowly risen all across the world, it was started by Abhik Nishi, now a prisoner at CetreMax.” Raiko nodded, “However, after Nishi’s imprisonment, the threat hasn’t quelled, and now they are being led by a man known as the Dragon, Silas Akiko.”
“Son of Arturo Akiko, the former firenation industrialist.” Tenzin added, “Silas has used his inheritance to create the Purist Strikers, a group dedicated to undoing Avatar Aang and Lord Zuko’s work over the past seventy years, and with Abhik out of the picture, he’s bringing a major focus to the Earth Kingdom and parts of the Republic.”
“I recall,” Raiko replied, “What are his intentions?” Korra looked away, arms crossed.
“He wants to change the world. Make it better.” The group turned, eying Korra curiously, “Just… that’s what I’m thinking, I mean.” Javik turned away.
“Akiko was partly responsible for Director Alrick’s downfall during the Winter incident, possibly doing it to damage organization. He and his group are responsible for the attacks in the Earth Kingdom and the few in the Republic.”
“That sounds about right.” Raiko replied, “Hard to imagine that a street gang would become such a problem.” Korra turned.
“Nishi and Akiko had been using the events in the past five years to raise unrest in the people”-
“I don’t understand, you’re the Avatar, can’t you just find Akiko and take him down?” Korra sat back.
“If only it was that easy, nobody knows where he is, he’s very good at keeping quiet.” Javik sat forward.
“What is it are you asking?”
“You are already having your troops dealing with protecting the border in the Republic… perhaps you can have them assist us with the western earth kingdom attacks and tracking down Akiko. We now the Republic has one of the greatest fleets in the world, and I’m sure General Iroh could help us greatly.” Raiko leaned back at that, studying Javik.
“I’d be inclined to agree with your proposal.” Javik was up, “but”-
The door leading into the office shot open, Lin Beifong stood there in her metalbender uniform, frantic. Two officers stood beside her. Javik had recalled passing by her, but suddenly he noticed a radio in her hand.
“Lin?” Tenzin turned, the cop heaved quietly.
“Mr. President, someone’s broadcasting to our radios, we can’t stop the message.” Korra stood up.
“What message?” Everyone became frantic, eying the metalbender. On officer approached Raiko’s side protectively. Lin turned the radio on, dropping it on the table. Javik sat forward at the sound of static… Raiko was alarmed.
”Can you hear me? I hope you can. This is a message to those in the world who stand against the Strikers and our dream for the future.” It was an older man’s voice, maybe Tenzin’s age. ”My name is Silas Akiko, you may know me as the Green Dragon.” Javik turned.
“Who’s getting this?”
“All of the radios in the Republic… as well as areas in the earth kingdom barring Ba Sing Se.” Lin scowled. “We had been tracking a striker frequency, it’s the same one but we can’t find the source.”
“I am the one who leads the Purist Strikers, and under my leadership, a new age is about to begin.” Javik heaved slowly, “An age of peace and unity… but in order for that to happen, sacrifices must be made.” Bai Zhu crossed his arms, ”Many of you oppose us, the Avatar, the White Lotus, and many of the traitors to our organization… but we do not wish to cause anyone harm, we simply wish to cull these traitors from the herd… as we work to improve our world.”
“Traitors?” Korra asked.
”And so, I now ask you, the people of the world… to bring out these renegades, these naysayers, these rogues, to return them to our organization. These traitors hide among you in plain sight, within every city, and every village these cowards hide and put you all at risk. It’s now I make my demand, If one Striker traitor from every village is returned, than that village and it’s people will survive. If however, the village refuses, and rebels against our ‘revolution’… than it will be wiped away from existence by fire.” Beifong didn’t buy it.
“He’s bluffing.” She knew she was wrong.
”If you do not believe me, than look at the remains of the village known as Su Hiron…” the tone in the man’s voice bothered everyone. ”In that village there was a former Striker known as Crow, because of her cowardice, the village has been purged.
“He’s insane… he can’t be”- Korra sputtered off, Raiko eyed Beifong.
“Our counterparts in Ba Sing Se told us they lost contact with that village, but they hadn’t confirmed it yet.”
”Su Hiron is the example to every traitor out there, realize that those people have lost everything because of you. And if you hand yourself in… lives will be sheltered from the storm. To the world powers out there, and you know who you are… if you dare to fight back, to challenge my legions… just know that my followers will not be careful about which homes they torch… all wood burns the same way.” Raiko looked away, disturbed. ”And I have one final message, to you, Avatar Korra: ‘It’s been too long, I hope you’ve been sleeping well’.”
The message ended, leaving everyone silent, staring at one another.
Javik couldn’t believe this.
“He’s a maniac with too much power.” Bai Zhu uttered, Raiko looked to Lin.
“Call Ba Sing Se, get me on the phone with King Wu, and confirm whether what they’ve said about Su Hiron is true.” Javik looked back to Raiko as Beifong hurried off… she wasn’t typically a intermediary, but the situation was unique.
“Sir, I’m sure he’s just trying to scare you… he must have known our meeting was rescheduled, knew we’d be meeting we,”-
“Agent Kato, as much as I’d wish to continue this discussion I’m afraid the situation has changed… and we need to evaluate it.” Raiko turned away. Bai Zhu looked to the world leader.
“You can’t just be swayed by a madman’s demands, that’s giving him power”- Raiko frowned as Tenzin eyed Korra.
“Korra, what did he mean at the end, how you’ve been sleeping?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing.” Korra lied, “Just trying to freak me out.” She looked back to Raiko, “But please don’t turn your back on the strikers, not like you did at Harmonic Convergence.” Raiko huffed, “Whatever Akiko threatened, he won’t stop there, and the United Republic needs to be in this fight now more than ever.”
“Regardless… until we figure this out, we can’t risk departing to foreign soil, not if his demands are true.”
“Does he really have the resources to burn down every village?” Tenzin asked, Javik nodded.
“He does, I know that for a fact.”
“Why?” Raiko replied, Javik frowned.
“Because I am one of the traitors he wants.”

SAREN POV

I found myself being shaken awake by Connor, a wave of confusion overtake me as I groaned.
“Sorry for sleeping in, I”-
“Not that!” he replied, and I looked outwards from our camp, noticing something… a group of animals circled around our camp, Naava was up, hands raised, maintaining an earthen barrier, keeping them out… but not for long. “We have company.”
I realized the group numbered maybe forty dogs… armadillo wolves.
“When did they show up?”
“Like ten minutes ago!” Naava replied, stamping down to shoot another back, “HEY!” she yelled. As I got up, Connor had been in the process of putting camp away, he had even taken care of some of my stuff before bothering to wake me up.
“ARF-ARF-ARF!” the Armadillo wolves screeched, intimidating us as Naava continually held them back, she looked close to running out of energy…
It didn’t help that Ivan (who was on his master’s shoulder) was currently screeching towards the wolves. I pulled my coat and shoes on, as while Naava turned.
“You just had to feed one of them, didn’t you?”
“This isn’t my fault!”
“Yeah right,” Naava replied, “When they got here they were sniffing around for seal jerky, Ivan actually caught them before I reacted.” I pouted, while Connor shook.
“We don’t have time for this,”
“Yeah, I know!” Naava sassed, bending urgently again and again. I picked up my backpack, looking to Connor.
“What are we gonna do?”
“The only thing we can do,” Naava replied, “Run.” I frowned.

MEANWHILE

Javik found himself walking out of the office, past Raiko’s security with Korra following him. Beifong had confirmed Su Hiron’s destruction. Bai Zhu was trying to urge Raiko to reconsider in their proposal, but Javik knew which way the wind was blowing.
Until the United Republic had a full grasp of the situation, they were not acting. And even if they knew, Javik didn’t believe Raiko would act.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” He lied, while Korra crossed her arms.
“I guess it makes sense why you’re in charge of this… you know how they operate.” Javik looked away. “Have you heard from Kokoro, is she alright?”
“Yes, last time I checked she got out of Su Hiron fine… but this news about that village…” Korra sighed, nodding her head. “I didn’t think Silas would bring back purging. But still, thank you for your help.” An eyebrow raised. “It might not have panned out, but atleast it’s good to know Raiko is taking this seriously.”
“What will you and Bai Zhu do?”
“Since the White Lotus doesn’t respond to any government, no doubt we’ll try and assist these striker traitors.”
“So like Makoto?” Javik nodded, turning away, “Where are you going?”
“I don’t know… somewhere else.” He was about to walk off, when Korra said something.
“You know… Ronin told me about you,” Javik paused “When I visited him, months ago, he said you two had history. Didn’t go into details….”
“What are you saying?”
“You seem to have issues, maybe it’d help you if you faced them.” Javik frowned, “Just some advice, from one hero to another.” Javik left, thinking over what she said.
“I’m no hero, but… thanks.”
Maybe it was time that he went in to see him, to see Ronin.

CONNOR POV

As quickly as Saren was settled, I watched as Naava shook, and fell to the ground, exasperated from her bending. The Armadillo wolves got in, howling like mad. I shot three percussive blasts of fire towards the wild animals while Saren knelt down beside Naava.
“You okay, need someone to carry you?” he joked, offering his hand. Naava ignored him, standing up and bending more rock, firing it towards the wolves (who evaded). We began running with Naava in the front, Ivan flying above us, Saren with his sword in the middle, and myself in the back, throwing more fire towards the wolves… I kicked one away from Saren while he attempted to cut at another, blindly missing. I kicked the wolf away, throwing more fire towards its brethren.
We were frantic, making more distance between us and the armadillo wolves, who were already faster than us.
“How many are there?” Saren asked, Naava kept running.
“I’m not gonna risk turning to find out!” I already knew, having begun counting.
There were forty of them… all coming out of nowhere with more ahead of us. This was a trap, to catch breakfast. Naava well ahead of them, making swift kicks as she ran to create more pillars of rock around the path we ran down. Saren thankfully could keep up, though he was slowest of our group.
“So… this is my fault then?”
“Pretty much,” Naava replied, and Saren scowled,
“Fine, but… which of you has my jerky?”
“Now’s not the time for snacking, idiot!”
“Just trust me, okay!?” He asked, and Naava groaned, turning and handing another piece of plastic to him. From there, Saren swiftly tossed the plastic wrap away, which the armadillo wolves went right after, several of them turning away. Saren smiled while Naava sighed.
“Guess you’re not as stupid as I thought.”
“That might be the nicest thing you’ve said to me today”-
“Don’t push it.” Ivan continued to fly above us screeching… warning us whenever there was another group of dogs. As we continued running, Ivan screeched, another group of armadillo wolves came at us in the front. Naava dug her hands downwards, pulling up more rock and throwing it at them, which most jumped around. “These dogs are smart.”
“And VERY HUNRY!” I stressed. A wolf was about to reach Naava when Ivan swept towards it, beak picking at his head and forcing the dog to the ground.
“So what’s why we keep him around?” Saren replied, Naava groaned.
“Still doesn’t explain why we keep you around!”

NAAVA POV

We kept running for what must have been the longest time, I was slow enough so that Connor and the bartender could keep up, but fast enough that I could handle these armadillo wolves. Their plating made the attacks much more difficult to actually damage… especially with how ravage they were. Ivan screeched again, lowering to my shoulder while Connor shot three more blasts into the dogs. The weak ones fell, as more continued.
“How do we shake them!?” I demanded, Connor turned.
“The only thing they don’t like is water! It gets between their layers”
“And just brilliant our waterbender is a washout!”
“Awe come on!” Saren complained, another dog jumped to him, and he hit it with the sword’s blunt side, like a fly-swatter. He had no idea how to handle that thing, I was lucky he hadn’t cut my throat on accident. It was then Ivan shot off of my shoulder, flying forward. “Where’s he going!?”
“I don’t know!” We kept running, with myself glancing towards an armadillo wolf in the distance, it didn’t seem apart of this pack, at least not currently. “But we can’t run forever!”
“Is that some quip about standing our ground?” Connor asked, I smirked.
“I wish!” I was heaving, struggling to keep running, I had lost so much energy protecting our camp from these filthy scavengers. I saw something as we kept running, far in the distance. “A river!” I exclaimed, it looked somewhat deep but…
“Alright, water!” Connor replied, “Never thought I’d be so happy to see water again!” Saren glanced towards him, “No offense.” We kept running, with Connor running past me, I shot more rock towards the beasts, but they kept coming, ready to try and tear me apart.
I kept running, finally we made it to the water, which we noticed had a strong current to it.
“If we get in there, we’ll get washed away!” Connor yelled, and I turned.
“Hold them off for a moment.” Connor obeyed, getting back into combat mode while Saren eyed me.
“Sure you have the energy for it?”
“Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.” I dug downwards, gripping the rock under the river, pulling upwards. With tight focus, a long bridge of rock rose, disrupting the river. “CROSS!” Connor did so, followed by Saren. I ran with them, looking back to the armadillo wolves, who all paused, unsure about crossing.
And then I tripped.
I was halfway across when I fell down, my legs felt as if they were on fire, giving out.
“Naava!” Saren replied, I scowled, trying to move but I couldn’t.  I looked back to the armadillo wolves, as they started to cross. The nonbender turned and reached me, trying to help me up when I scowled.
“I don’t need your help, I”-
“And that’s crap… come on.” I groaned, allowing him to help me up. I leaned on him as he helped me across the makeshift bridge.
The sun must have been really hot or something, I felt like my cheeks were burning.
It was all in vain when the dogs were about to reach us. Out of nowhere the dog I had seen working against the pack appeared, eying Saren before swiftly attacking the front dogs, pushing them into water and causing them to squeal unhappily.
“Thanks buddy…” Saren muttered, and I scowled.
“Just get me across.” Namakura obeyed, getting me to the other side, where Connor was busy throwing more fire towards the dogs. More were falling into water while the random one kept holding up the pack. He saw we got across, and started making his way through the bridge. The moment the random armadillo wolf got across, I stamped down and ended the connection, the river returned to normal with all the other dogs falling into the water, irritated. I knelt down, tired, while Connor blinked, eying the dog that got across… who was smiling towards Saren.
“Is that the same dog from yesterday?”
“Told you guys it was a good idea.” Saren smiled, I rolled my eyes… The bartender was quick to pet the dog, smiling. After roughly a minute the armadillo wolf turned and following the river, disappeared. “See you later!” Saren smiled, I sighed.
“Color me impressed…” I took a few minutes to catch my breath, when Connor observed the river.
“Wait, Saren… didn’t you say we’d cross a river?”
“Yeah?”
“That means…” I turned.
“The air temple.” Saren was about to offer to help me up again when I managed to stand. “I don’t need your help.” The bartender accepted, turning away. We returned to the path, making our way past the end of a mountain that was blocking was before us.
Our eyes widened at what we saw, at the base of the base mountain were trucks and other cars surrounding it. It was a large mountain in the range, covered on the top by strange rock, like the kind left over after a volcano explodes. It was like the pictures I had seen. It looked a lot like an excavation crew, surveying the remnants of the lost temple.
For some reason it reminded me of home.
“Woah…” Connor muttered, and I agreed.

MEANWHILE

Javik was surprised how easily they allowed him into Cetremax Prison, letting him in only with a name. It was ran by both the Republic City government and its White Lotus chapter. Kuvira and many of her generals became its first prisoners, but much had changed within the past five couple years. The prison was built after the end of the Earth Empire, intended to be used as a prison to hold the world’s most dangerous inmates. It was one the largest new structures built, massive in size, it held a rectangular open area meant for prisoners to get exercise. It was one of the most heavily guarded places on the planet. This place held several names that were very familiar Javik, like the equalist leader known as ‘the lieutenant,’ Shuji Sakamoto of the famous shipping company with equalist ties. There was also Sonya Kalros, the former heiress turned psychopathic natural bloodbender of the Northern Water Tribe, Abhik Nishi, the former leader of the Purist Strikers(who responded poorly to interrogation), and finally Ronin Takeda, the mastermind behind the Shen Jing Civil War, also known as the Mirage incident.
There were countless other prisoners, but those were the main ones Javik thought on.
As the guard led Javik through an elevator, he eyed another meant for prisoners, seeing a pale woman in an orange jumpsuit with short black hair eying him, before looking away with a snarl.
“Don’t mind her, she’s totally powerless behind this glass, lined with lead… and they chi-blocked her for good measure.” The man at the elevator said.
“I didn’t realize lead glass could stop bending.”
“Something they discovered after the war… lead can cut the links between the person and the element… unfortunately it’s still earth, so it can be bent.”
“Convenient.”
“Everything has its drawbacks…” The elevator stopped and Javik reached his floor. The guard was about to follow when Javik stopped him, vying for privacy. “Of course sir.” Javik stepped past him, walking forward and past some unsavory individuals in platinum cells. They had did not have glass windows, instead they had bars of platinum, weaved together to make the prisoner visible. This was the Earth kingdom/bender floor, maintaining control over the most structurally dangerous inmates.
He finally settled on the last cell, looking in it to find someone sitting there, a man four years younger than him… who Javik had known all his life.
He had short brown hair, looked almost gray, he seemed to go to great lengths of keeping it short, his eyes were a dangerous green color, and clothing was the same as the woman Javik passed, except this one’s sleeves were missing, torn off… revealing a tattoo over his left arm, it looked almost like a bracelet, but familiar. On the back of his neck was another tattoo, detailing a number, completely different from his other identification.
He was prisoner 572, according to a bar on the wall.
”Takeda, Ronin L. Age 27, Si Wong Desert.
The prisoner had an uninterested look, like he was bored out of his wits. He had suffered a broken arm, but it had finished healing. Platinum cuffs caught him, limiting his movement in the cell… if anyone had slipped him any rock, he had no hope of actually breaking out, unless it was a lot of rock. Finally the younger man turned, glancing to Javik, his eyes the same cold he had known since he was twelve years old.
”I’m Javik.” He replied, eying the new slave… the boy was eight years old, the same age Javik was when his mother died… consequently, this boy too lost his mother.
No, lost was too positive a word… Ronin was betrayed by his mother.
“S-she’s gonna come back for me…. She promised.” The child looked down, hands shaking, fidgeting… a fidgeting Javik was used to.
“I’m sure you’re right,” the older boy replied, “But until then… I think you should meet my friends.” His hand grasped the boy’s shoulder, and the earthbender boy gave in, allowing himself to be led by the older one.
“Ronin…”
“What?”
“My name…”
“Nice to meet you, Ronin.”

“I had a feeling you were alive.” The first thing Ronin uttered, looking at Javik. “Seven”-
“It’s Javik.” Ronin looked away. “I thought about seeing you, for the longest time.”
“Have you now? What could warrant a visit?”
“Curiosity… concern.”
“You never cared about me,” Ronin replied, looking away, “You were like my mother… only looking out for yourself”-
“You were my brother, Ronin… and even now that hasn’t changed.” Ronin didn’t dare look him in the eye. “I thought that maybe… seeing you like this, will help me accept what had happened.”
“You think seeing me in prison would help you accept that Naomi and others are dead because of you?” Javik looked away. “You’re just as foolish as the Chun girl, only she learned to move on.”
“Naomi’s death wasn’t my fault”-
“You organized it all, all to defy me… had your Wolf and Crow kill them while you just hid like a Fox.”
“They chose their destinies, it wasn’t mine to decide.”
“Sure, the same way your mother’s death wasn’t.”
“You didn’t even know her”-
“I don’t need to, to know that it haunts you every night… who did you dream about this time? Naomi, or her?”
“…”
“You bore me, Javik… thinking you’re so high, and above me.”
“Well I am the one who’s not behind bars.”
“From my perspective you are.” Ronin replied, Javik turned. “The walls are closing in, I heard the murmurings from a man named Nishi… he says if ‘Dragon’ has any intelligence, he’ll kill you.”
“I bet you feel so jealous, being stuck here while I die.”
“A little…” Ronin sighed. “But at least it means I’m not dead… you made sure that didn’t happen.” Javik turned, surprised. “It first started when Chun asked me how we didn’t die with Shiloh… and now seeing you here puts it all together.”

The city was crumbling, with sand streaming down and earthquakes shaking. Javik moved with a slim limp, walking towards one of the stone elevators. He was wearing the uniform of one of Ronin’s Outcast soldiers, the hood hid him well. He watched as a sudden light erupted between two individuals… two earthbenders, a man and a woman battling for the heart of this desert. The woman had won, but sacrificed herself to ensure her friends’ safety.
He had watched as the elevator went up, as Ronin screamed out, a strange apparition passing from his body, fusing with the bright contents of a broken stone.
The Mirage stones, born of Keshon Arteoh, one of light and the other of darkness, fusing together to create a spirit. The combination went upwards, supporting the elevators, and protecting the group as Shiloh fell apart.
Wincing in pain, Javik reached the two bodies facing the elevator, they only had maybe minutes until the entire cave went undone. And there Ronin laid, on the ground, across from him was the Chun Princess, Naava. They both were murmuring in their sleep
He found himself looking away, eying another elevator, primed to leave.
Kneeling down, he pulled the two beside him, laying them down into the elevator, starting it.
Chun wasn’t ready to die here… and he couldn’t bring himself to allow Takeda to die either. The elevator began to rise with the three in it, there were still a couple others making their way up.
He couldn’t allow Ryuu and friends to know he survived.
He used his waterbending to pull himself to one of the elevators, discovering passed out soldiers. He lowered onto their bodies, remaining quiet as the elevators reached the top, watching the city fall apart.
The Chuns found him and the other soldiers, and he escaped during the sentimental reunion between Naava and her younger brother.
Only one other person knew what was happening, and she was too overjoyed that Naava was alive to even notice.
“You saved us…” Ronin murmured, “Why?”
“Does it really matter?” Javik asked, and Ronin breathed silently.
“It matters to me… and it’ll matter to Chun.”
“Let’s just say I’ve grown somewhat attached to her. And with you… I figured you should pay for your crimes.” Javik turned away.
“So when will you pay?” he paused, “I may be a war criminal, but that doesn’t suddenly make you a good person either.” Javik heaved silently, eyes away. “That’s what I thought.” He walked away, knowing no way to respond.

Hours later he found himself in his assigned apartment, thinking.

Javik couldn’t help but reflect poorly on what Ronin had said to him, it irritated him, angered. Mostly because he knew he was right, that was the one thing Ronin did well, he read people perfectly. As he stepped through the compound, he discovered the bedroom he used… oddly enough, the door was unlocked.
He studied it confused, noticing slight cuts into the lock, like the kind left by a lock-pick. Javik entered, pausing as he saw someone standing in the room.
A woman with slim black hair, pale skin and red eyes. A three pronged tattoo rested over her chest, clearly designating who she was. She wore black pants with a red tank top covered by a black corset.
“Hello, mutt”- Javik shook, quickly pulling water from his satchel, the Striker flowed forward, edging into Javik and thrusting fingers at several of his pressure points.
The water splashed to the ground as did Javik, chi-blocked. Confusion overtook him, as he then noticed to his side was what appeared to be a stolen White Lotus uniform.
“I wanted to surprise you in that, but it was too baggy, too much of a hindrance so I took it off.” She explained, referring partly to how low cut her top was… she used sexuality as a weapon “I hope you can control your lust.” She tempted, Javik looked away.
“I’m guessing Silas sent you?”
“Good guess.” She replied, taking a few steps, “It was harder to track you now that the White Lotus knows our techniques… I actually had to sneak onto your ship, I had to contact my friends when I learned you weren’t having your meeting yesterday.” Javik heaved, irritated.
“So I was right… he was planning to send his message it during our meeting.”
“Well aren’t you bloody clever… bums me out I can’t kill you yet.” Javik scowled.
“Not something I’d expect from you, the most vicious agent the strikers have ever had, She-Wolf.”
“Cute, you remember me… sorry I’m not into dogs.” She explained, eying a knife in her hand, casually tapping it to Javik’s neck, it smelled of poison.
“Trying to scare me?”
“As if, you’re already scared, that’s why you’re here in the first place.” She looked away, “I’ve come with a message, Dragon thinks it’s been high time that you two meet.”
“What does he want with me?”
“I have no idea.” She remarked, hand casually playing with her silky black hair. “Between the two of us, you’re just as unknown as that mutt from two months ago… what was his name, Lou, Lory”- Javik recognized the name, knowing what she meant.
“Lorik.” Javik muttered, “Lorik Namakura… he was the one in the Everstorm?”
“Can’t talk about that hon, just know it’ll be the only way you can save that town.”
“What?” Javik turned. “What are you”-
“Come to Shaylim… tell nobody, if the white lotus gets a single lick of what I just said, the city burns.”
“How do I even know you’re telling the truth? It’s obviously a trap”-
“Sure… but you wouldn’t sacrifice countless lives to assume I’m lying, would you?” And like that, she turned away, pulling back on the uniform, “You have two weeks to show up… and if you don’t, Shaylim will be purged just like Su Hiron. Make sure to not cry wolf about it, Fox.” She shuffled out, leaving Javik alone with his thoughts. He slowly gained his movement back, using it to stand back up. He couldn’t bend, but he could contemplate what had just happened.
Silas’s interest in Saren Namakura suddenly made more sense… he captured his father. Was it possible Lorik was still alive?
Regardless, Javik had a problem.
If Silas wanted a fight… he’d bring it, though he’d need help.
A new friend of his came to mind.