Akane reacted immediately to the fire coming at her, dropping into a defensive stance. She breathed in deeply and quickly and shot fire from both ends of the spear, one at each group of flames, and as they merged she dissipated all the flame.

She saw Juraia rushing toward her, but also picked up a faint slicing sound coming from behind her. Again, she breathed in deeply and quickly, surrounding the bottom half of the spear in flame and throwing it harshly at Juraia, creating a large disk of fire. She turned quickly, right after releasing the disk of fire, and saw that something was curving through the air toward her. She figured it to be a knife or blade of some sort. She raised what was left of her spear and and it came in range, she swung and a loud metal on metal clang rang through the air as the knife was deflected and buried itself in the earth beside Akane.

As she turned she felt a piercing feeling on the back of her left shoulder. She turned her head, and to her horror saw a small needle petruding from her back. As she was about to scream, she heard her name being called. She knew it must have been Beshimi or some other Lotus Eater that had seen her signal.

"I am Akane, Leader of the Order of the White Lotus!" she bellowed out, in hopes of giving their location to who she hoped was a Lotus Eater.

Now she summoned all her strength, taking a slow deep breath. And as she reached her peak, she let out and scream, jumping into the air and shooting flames from her mouth, hands, and feet. It swirled around, getting bigger and bigger, sending licks of flame along the ground. The flames from her feeting keeping her in the air. She focused her attack at Juraia and the Firebender whom she was fighting. She sent a mass amount of fire at them both, almost a wave of crackling inferno. It was sure to to cause severe injury, if not kill them both. The grass beneath her had caught on fire, as did some of the trees. She spread the fire and much as possible, shooting flames in every direction. The fire grew.

She wasn't worried about Di-Jei. With any luck he would add his own strength to her attack, or at least continue on when she fell. Her clothes had started to fall apart. She felt the fire starting to burn her as well. Yet she did not falter. If anything she intensified what was likely to be her final attack. She would not be known as the Lotus Eater that had been mutilated, who had lost the pivotal battle between the Order and the Galgori. She would be known as the Lotus Eater who devastated the Galgori in her final fight. She would be known as a hero. And as these thoughts passed through her mind, her attack ended. She fell as the flames subsided, and she hit the ground harshly. Before she lost consciousness, she took what she thought would be her last breath. And with that last breath, she sent another wave of fire, almost fifteen feet tall, in all directions. It was a ripple in the lake of fire she had created. She smiled, knowing the flames would eventually consume her. The poison had just started to take effect, and she could no longer move.

Then, darkness...

No hesitation.

Coer leapt in front of Juraia, focused all of his mental energies, and moved aside as much of the gigantic wall of flame as possible.

Escaping some sort of injury and/or burning was impossible, and he'd known it from the start, but Coer's nobility and the inbred selflessness of almost all Mothguaith had pushed him there. What he managed to accomplish was probably the most talented thing he had ever done in his evolution as a firebender — all the flame that went past his body planed off at an angle and flew toward the corners of the temple, roasting the stone of the ancient building but causing little other damage.

He could redirect some of the fire that came directly toward him. That half went straight to the doorway, where the new voice calling Akane's name had come from; unfortunately, the rest hit him full-force, dissipating as it burned and blistered his skin, but blowing him back into Juraia's body. But Juraia was safe.

His last thoughts before pain rendered him unconscious, were about Taed. He really hadn't been wrong in what he did; he was trying to make peace. But at the same time, peace was impossible. The Lotus Eaters were just another example of bender supremacy... it was better for him to stay this way.

"Nooooooooooooooo![/i][/color] Taed screamed, bursting out of Akane's body and rushing toward Coer as simply a spirit again...

(Heh, we just traded pieces, my friends. Let's bring this to an ending!)

Juraia narrowed her eyes against the jet of flame surging past the two of them, spliting impossibly mere feet from Coer's body. No ammount of dodging could save a nonBender from this kind of brute force, the weakness they had always suffered under for the whole Long War... She frowned, watching the wounds acculmulate on the... No, Bender wasn't the right word... her Huntmate's body, a few cinders landing almost unotisced on her own torso, robes flapping. The Veteran caught Coer when the surge ended, laying him gently on the ground, eyes fixed on the imoblized Akane.

Any doubts she had in Coer had been burned away in that display, but Juraia was Galgori enough to not waste breath on an unconsious man in the middle of a fight. She smiled warmly, eyes gleaming before she advanced on the Lotus Eater, breathing heavy, tossing a knife at Akane's side to test whether or not she was faking it. A second blade was produced from her robes, stained black with one of her most deadly toxins.

Hokori knew of this only perfierally, aware only of a blast of flame that cast her shadow in front of her in stunning contrast. She was busy rolling and dodging the fire balls sent her way. One dodge was too slow, the strike sending her flying backwards onto her butt with a grunt, nursing a painful burn on her left shoulder. The younger twin sheathed a punch dagger, and tossed a yellow-stained vial at Di-Jei, the container of skunk-monkey oil shattering into a nasueating yellow cloud around her target. Get some time.

Anei had to duck back into the temple at Akane's pyrotechnics, clutching the blowpipe against her body. A moment's glance of Coer's unconsious body and her mother advancing on the supine Lotus Eater filled her eyes with determined anger and blooming fear, prompting her to run for the nearest stairwell, face flickering in pain each time she put weight on her bandaged foot. It didn't matter, they needed her.

It was an average day, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, the small village's streets filled with busy villagers as they walked shop to shop browsing the quality of the merchandise. Merchants trying to get everyone to buy their product claiming it was better than the rest.

" Fresh fruit! Fresh fruit! Freshest fruit in all of Naidu! " One fruit merchant said as he held up a bright red apple. It's bright red skin sparkled as if it where a precious ruby.

" Hey you there! Nirav! Come over here boy!" The fruit merchant yelled to a young man as he walked through the street. His head slowly turned to see who it was had called for his attention.

" Oh hey Bharat... Look I'm not interested in any fruit today... I just went out to get some water from the well..." The young man responded in a some what bored tone of voice.

" Oh but your mother loves apples! How about you just buy one or two for her huh?" He asked with a smile on his face.It was obviously fake, just something used to try and sell his produce to any passer byre who would give even a second of their time to him.

The young man's face was filled with disappointment. He knew that this chubby salesman would not let him go without a fight...

" Well fine... just give me two apples..." He said to him as he pulled out two small silver coins from his pocket and tossed them to him. With that being done the plump man placed two bright red apples into Nirav's hand...

" Well I guess I will see you later then Bharat..." He said as he began to walk away from the small fruit stand and make his way once again down the road. He placed the two apples into a small basket which he had been carrying as he let out a sigh... Life had become so boring in this small village... He simply did the same chores day in and day out. He didn't really mingle with many of the other villagers... Once in a while a girl would try to talk to him... and he would gladly return the favor... If they where to his taste that is. But other than that nothing really fun happend...

The pack on Hay Lin's back was definitely feeling heavy. And the long sleeved Fire Nation clothing she was wearing did not make it any easier. She kept her head lowered. Though her hair was black, her eyes were a bright shade of green and if any of the Fire Nation spotted her, she'd be arrested on the spot.

Hay Lin felt her stomach growl in protest. She was so hungry! How in the world did she go this long without eating? The young earthbender sighed, heard by all around her, except herself. Her world remained unchanged, delved in silence. She had grown accustomed to living in a world of eternal quiet. But she often longed to be among the hearing, simply so she wouldn't have to put up with people feeling sorry for her.

Bright green eyes traveled up from where they had been staring as she walked and caught sight of a boy...walking just a few feet in front of her. In his hand was a basket. Now Hay Lin absolutely abhorred stealing. But she was hungry...and perhaps this person had something in that basket she could eat...it was worth a chance. She quickened her pace just a bit and when she had caught the boy, her hand went for the basket, jerking it toward her. She wasn't very subtle now was she?

Hay Lin's mind was shouting with victory. She had gotten what she wanted and was now making a break for it. As soon as she discovered whatever food he had in there, she would gladly find the boy and give him his basket back. Her bare feet hit the ground in almost sprint before her path become obstructed.

A long red pole stood in her path. She stared at it for a few moments, unaware that the person holding the pole was speaking to her. The earthbender whirled around, an angry expression on her face. And what right did she have to be angry? She was the one stealing. But at that moment, that simple fact was not her main concern. She simply wanted to look in the basket for something to eat.

She pointed at the pole with her free hand as if to demand he move it. She was quite tempted to send him hurtling into the sky with a well deserved earthbending move. But this was enemy territory and she was not willing to take the risk of being arrested.

Hay Lin's thin lips curled up into a amused smile. This boy obviously didn't understand why she wasn't responding to him. She mentally laughed at him. But her expression remained almost unchanged. Her eyes studied his lips as he spoke. She was a lip reader, though she chose not to make that fact known. It was much more fun teasing the people around her.

As this stranger came closer to her, she took a fighter's stance. She was ready to defend herself and make a run for it, if she gave away the fact that she was an earthbender. But much to her surprise, the boy made no move to attack her. Instead, he reached into his pocket and fished out two silver coins. Her shoulders began to relax as she realized what he was doing. The boy was willing to buy apples for her? No! Hay Lin wouldn't have it! She'd rather steal than accept help. She wanted to scream at him she didn't need his charity. But her hand gestures would very well go misunderstood.

Hay Lin rushed after the boy. He had taken his basket back and was already moving toward the fruit stand. She caught his arm and walked in front of him, to make sure she had his attention. Pointing to the coins and then to him, she shook her head. She didn't want his help. Even though she knew she needed it.

Hay Lin's green eyes narrowed as she watched the boy accept the two apples. If he was planning to give them to her, she wasn't going to accept them. She couldn't. Because if she did, it would mean she was weak and unable to take care of herself. And she refused to let that happen. Her face was set in a determined look. Her green eyes blinked, reflecting her quiet defiance. Her nose stuck out from her face just a little and emphasized her defiant eyes. Her mouth and thin lips were twisted into a unhappy frown.

The boy's moving lips caught her attention and she watched them. She could only pick up a few things of what he said. But he was willing to work for her food. And his smile...it seemed friendly enough. Hay Lin would go for whatever he was planning. The long red pole appeared again and she backed away, unsure if this was part of her work or if he meant to attack her. Realization dawned on her face as he stuck the basket on the pole. She understood now. If she could take the basket back, she could have the apples...But how. Hay Lin wouldn't be able to take it...could she?

Maybe if she used her earthbending. With a subtle stomp of her foot, the ground rippled beneath the boy and she hoped it would make him stumble. At least enough so he would forget to guard the basket.

Hay Lin moved toward the pole the moment she saw it tilt toward her. The basket slid down toward her and she reached for the basket. She had noticed the boy's smirk and but she was going to win this game. And food in the process. So it was necessary for her to win. The basket was mere centimeters from her hand before the pole tilted upwards again and it slid from her grasp.

Darn it... she thought with another stomp of her foot. She read his lips in an attempt to understand what he was saying. Only three more tries? What else could she do? Obviously, Hay Lin knew she'd have to use her bending to trip the boy up if she stood any chance at gaining her prize without it being given to her.

Hay Lin knew this boy had to be wondering why she hadn't utter a sound since they met. So before her second attempt began, Hay Lin stood totally erect, making sure she had eye contact with the stranger. She pointed to herself and then with the same hand, she grasped her ear lobe. She shook her head and hoped he understood that she could not hear.

Hay Lin smiled in response to the stranger's grin. So he knew now that she couldn't hear. Her eyes studied his facial expressions carefully to make sure that he didn't think of pitying her. And to her surprise, he didn't...She could read lips and she had a limited ability to speak. She could say her name and ask for other's names. But it was difficult for her.

But she would do so anyway. Just so this boy would know what her name was. Pointing to herself again, Hay Lin opened her mouth and spoke in a forced voice. The tone was rather thick and sounded as though her voice box was rarely used. "Mah nahme Hay Lin..." she said. She tried hard to talk and to make sure this stranger understood her. But if he didn't, she had a some writing utensils she could use to tell him later.

But now that the introductions were out of the way, Hay Lin could once again focus on getting that basket. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching before she stomped her foot again. This time the earth shook violently, the tremors spreading out from her foot toward the boy.