After the presentation, Gale greeted the people, giving special attention to the southern natives, considering them the most important.
On that same day, he attended a significant dinner with influential figures from Republic City, including some capitalist entrepreneurs who saw the city as their investment for the future. It was at this event that he had the opportunity to meet Hiroshi Sato.
After engaging with the city's most prominent personalities, Gale returned home. His butler had already finished his duties and left.
Gale appreciated the serenity as he wandered through his apartment, silently thankful for finally being alone.
As he settled into his bed, he assumed the lotus position, delving deep into the spiritual realm.
Upon opening his eyes, he found himself in the familiar forest.
"Gale, you came. I thought you wouldn't show up," said Zaheer, remaining in meditation under one of the trees in the forest.
Approaching the man, Gale sat in front of him, adopting the lotus position.
"I am the new representative of the South; soon Republic City and other nations will be under my leadership," Gale asserted, closing his eyes.
After absorbing the information provided by Gale, a faint trace of disdain appeared in Zaheer's expression, but it was soon replaced by his usual neutral demeanor.
"Indeed, I don't agree with your plan; the Red Lotus should not act this way," Zaheer stated.
Gale sensed a change in the energy around him, understanding that Zaheer genuinely disapproved of his approach. However, he was powerless, and the only chance to escape that situation lay in the hands of the young man in front of him.
"I understand that you and the other members of the Red Lotus have different philosophies than mine, but you're starting in the wrong way," Gale declared upon opening his eyes, meeting the man's gaze fixed on him. "You said that chaos is also part of the world's balance, but there must be order before chaos makes sense."
Upon hearing Gale's words, Zaheer remained silent.
"Soon, all members of the Red Lotus will be liberated, and all political divisions will be destroyed. Trust me, Zaheer. After I become the Shadow Avatar, I will unite the two worlds. You, me, and the other members will destroy all the world's governments, returning to their pure and beautiful state," Gale declared, a smile forming on his face as he envisioned a new world.
While the words flowed from Gale's mouth, his heart whispered a different story.
"Destroy the political divisions of the world? What foolishness," Gale reflected inwardly.
In the end, when he became the supreme ruler and gained the power to do as he pleased, there would be no stopping him. Submission or death.
"I understand, Gale, for now," Zaheer said, trying to conceal his anger.
In an instant, silence dominated the environment, and Gale faded from the spiritual plane, leaving only Zaheer immersed in his own thoughts.
"I hope you're right, Gale."
The words echoed like an implicit threat.
----------
Gale didn't return from the spiritual world because he avoided responding to Zaheer's provocations, but because something in the physical world caught his attention.
Suddenly, a masked man emerged from the shadows, attempting to attack Gale.
Gale quickly reasoned and realized that the enemy was focused on hitting his chi points, aiming to cut off his waterbending.
Gale just smiled, calmly waiting for the man to approach.
"This is a message from the Equalists," the man said as he tried to strike at the chi point on Gale's arm.
But when he was about to hit the man in front of him, he stopped.
"What?" the man asked, frozen in his attacking position.
Gale circled the man, carefully examining his attire.
"Very interesting, how did such a small group get such technological attire?" Gale commented as he examined the man's clothes. "Indeed, it provides good protection against bending, especially fire."
Using bloodbending, Gale made the man kneel. It seemed that the man was an extension of Gale's own body, with no sign of being controlled like a puppet. His movement clearly indicated that the man in front of him was a master of bloodbending.
"I won't tell you anything, cursed bender. And on top of that, a bloodbender. You're a freak of nature!" The man shouted at Gale, but soon liters of blood gushed from his mouth.
Seeing the man choking on his own blood, Gale immediately ceased his ability. He couldn't allow the man to die, at least not at that moment.
Seizing the man's hair, Gale lifted him effortlessly, as if he were a mere ragdoll.
"Since you won't give me information about Amon and the organization, I'll demonstrate the terrifying extent of a bloodbender's torture." Gale declared as the darkness of the room enveloped their bodies.