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[Iroh POV]
I had made a terrible mistake, after we had arrived in the earth kingdom, I had confused the very White Jade Bush with the Legendary White Dragon Bush. Thanks to my rookie mistake I had poisoned myself.
"I think these berries can cure me," I pointed as Zuko walked in circles around me, "Or blind me, I'm not sure if they are Bacui berries, or the deadly Maka'ole berries," I really needed to refresh my memory with all this beautifully deadly fauna in this world.
"No!" Zuko shouted as I tried to grab the berries, "Drinking tea from the mysterious plant is the reason you are ill, it's a very stupid idea to try a cure that with another unknown,"
Well, he had a point, but it's not like we had many options, we had no medicine of any kind in the ship we had stolen from Zhao's fleet, which we couldn't use anymore, because my not so dear niece was hunting us.
"If we head to the earth kingdom, and we are discovered, we will be executed," I stated, "and if the fire nation soldiers around manage to capture us, we will be turned over to Azula,"
"Earth Kingdom it is," Zuko answered without hesitation, and I couldn't blame him… Azula was cruel, beyond human comprehension, she was a monster, a monster my little brother nurtured, destroying and damaging any humanity she had in her, while praising her monstrous side. Creating what she is today.
I could've stopped him, many times I thought about killing him, with that I could've saved Zuko from this pain, and Azula from this destiny.
But I didn't.
In the end, monsters like Azula and Ozai were nothing. The true terrors in this world were people like me, the ones with power who saw suffering, who heard the screams of a hundred generations echoing for miles around them and still did nothing, but I had finally resolved to do what had to be done.
The easy path is not the one that leads to victory, sometimes it only leads to damnation. Killing Ozai, my little brother would solve nothing, if I was the one doing it.
With Zuko… the cycle of hate would end, the endless fire of destruction would finally be put down.
"Are you okay uncle," Zuko asked worriedly.
"Yes dear nephew, let's go," I nodded, as I slowly stood up, "Now let's start this journey,"
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[Zuko POV]
Sometimes my uncle would feel like the smartest person in the whole world, full of wisdom and knowledge, and sometimes… he was just a big baby.
How could he be so naive! Making tea with an unknown plant?! He could've killed himself. He was careless sometimes.
"It will take us two days to arrive at the nearest settlement," I inwardly cursed.
"Don't worry dear nephew, I have more than enough time," He didn't know that! Why can't he take his own life seriously! Doesn't he know I can't lo—
"We have to find people soon… we don't know how fast that poison you drank works," I sighed, for now… capturing the Avatar could wait… for now, "The map we have shows there is a Farming Settlement nearby, if we walk nonstop through some roads, we should be there by the night," if we followed the normal route the was a big chance… no, I won't think about it, because it won't happen.
"Very well," He smiled, "I'm sure everything will turn out just fine, just follow your gut, and guide me,"
"Hm," I chuckled, "My gut thinks we have to go this way," I pointed at the map.
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[Akira POV]
It was the evening of my fifth day in the fire nation village. Today the winds howled outside.
As I drank, a nice cup of… burning desire, a fire nation drink, famous around these parts.
Thanks to the winds, the tavern's walls creaked worryingly, but nobody seemed to mind.
As I continued to drink my alcoholic beverage, a few men and women entered and exited the tavern spreading out across candle-lit tables and cradling steamy drinks and hot food.
Why was I still here? Well, my body and spirit were in need of rest thanks to my earlier stunt, and I decided to get that rest here, but my stay was coming to an end, tonight. This week I had gathered all the supplies I needed to make this journey, at least until the next city.
"You alright there, friend?" a deep voice asked, snapping me out of my train of thought. With a smile I look up to see Moro, the owner of the Phoenix's Heart Tavern, standing across the bar from me, polishing a mug against his worn out apron. "You look like you need to talk."
Huh, every bartender is incredibly friendly here. Neat.
The old man smiled as he pulled a bottle off the shelf behind him, proceeding to pour a new drink into my empty glass. "If there's something troubling you, feel free to share. That's what we bartenders are for," he chuckled.
"Nothing much," I chuckled, "Just planning my journey, nothing deep or emotional,"
"Well, if you need someone to hear you out, you know where to find me," Moro smiled, as he walked to attend another customer.
But I stopped him, as I started to talk, "Actually…. Do you know a good cart around here?" I wanted to actually sleep on the ride, not suffer.
Moro hummed before asking, "Where do you want to go?"
"To the port," I answered.
Moro smiled, "Yes, I have a guy,"
"Hey kiddo," A random man sat beside me, "I hear you needed a ride,"
Jesus Christ, when and how these two communicated or exchanged the information I was just giving, "Yes I do,"
"Old Kon here is the best around," Moro stated, "If you want a fast and comfortable ride, I vouch for him,"
"Very well, I want to leave tonight or tomorrow morning," I informed the rider.
"Tomorrow morning," Kon winked, "I have to let the wife now I'll be off for a few days,"
"Works for me," I chuckled.
"Well, if you need me...I'll be polishing the mugs in the back," Moro said going to the back of his establishment.