The corridor is shrouded in darkness. Only veins of softly glowing crystal embedded within the walls offered any light, their pale radiance guiding the sisters deeper into the unknown.
Somehow neither of them could clearly remember how they had arrived here. More strangely still, every bruise and ache earned during the fight in that massive granite courtyard had vanished, as though they had never existed in the first place.
They walked in silence. At the corridor's end, a lone Dai Li sentry lifted his hand, and the stone shifted with a muted groan. A concealed doorway slid open, revealing another chamber cloaked in shadow.
Both Mayumi and Satchiko stepped through. As for the sentry, he made no attempt to follow nor did he seem remotely concerned that two individuals who had challenged the Dai Li moments or however long earlier now walked beyond his post.
Everything felt orchestrated. Perhaps this was the handiwork of the mysterious Alchemist, whose name every Dai Li seemed to utter with equal measures of reverence and caution.
Mayumi, who is far more attuned to the various politics that governs the world, had begun entertaining certain suspicions long before today's events. The first seeds had been planted during the Keju graduation ceremony.
"Big sis, where are we?" Satchiko whispered, both hands slightly curled amidst the slight fear towards complete darkness.
"I wonder that myself," Mayumi muttered, wishing she had the support of at least four more Kyoshi Warriors. A full complement of six competent warriors would have presented a far more daunting challenge to any bender foolish enough to stand against them. As things were, the duo are painfully outnumbered and outmatched on this journey to Ba Sing Se. "Perhaps," she then said dryly. "Our so-called Director will finally see fit to tell us who he truly is."
Almost on cue, the entire chamber brightened. Yet the room lost none of its mystery.
It was the fireplace that suddenly sprang to life, not with ordinary orange flames, but with a fierce violet whose unnatural glow illuminated the chamber in regal shadows.
Whatever deception had once been restrained, is no longer upheld.
Before either sister noticed the solitary figure seated before the fire, their eyes were drawn elsewhere. A skull rested upon a nearby table. Its placement was far too deliberate to be an ornament and far too pristine to be mistaken for some forgotten relic. Even against the backdrop of the roaring violet flames, that pale, hollow visage commanded their gaze. The empty sockets seemed to watch them in silence, a grim testament to the fate of those who had failed to navigate the merciless rules that governed dynasties.
"That's old friend, Li Si," the voice belonged to a cultured middle-aged gentleman, unmistakably one of the Upper Ring. Yet, Mayumi can deduce that the speaker is not a native to this city. "It was never my intention to receive the descendants of heroes with such unpleasant hospitality. Regrettably, I must inform you that many of the events leading you here were never truly of this city's own making."
"I know," Satchiko admitted begrudgingly. She understood all too well that she was no mere bystander in this deadly farce between the two. "But who are you?"
Mayumi, exhausted and increasingly insulted by the way they had been treated, also demanded an answer. They deserved at least that much. More importantly, she needed to know whom they were dealing with if she hoped to plan for whatever ordeal awaited them, assuming they would even leave this place alive.
"You played the gracious host rather well the last time we met," the swordswoman said more sharply. "Do you intend to continue the performance?"
The remark drew a puzzled glance from Satchiko toward her sister before her attention returned to the lone figure seated beside the hearth. At last, their host finally decided to indulge them with a supposedly grand reveal. After all, there is little value in delaying a dramatic revelation until it lost its impact.
"You both have already met my protege," he said, rising leisurely from his chair. As he spoke, he strolled past shelves lined with an eclectic assortment of objects. Some are the expected possessions of a learned scholar such as inkstones, scrolls, calligraphy and brushes. But others hinted at a life of far greater consequence. There are also ceremonial badges, seals of office, and relics that quietly proclaimed a man of extraordinary rank.
Yet none of the items seemed to command as much reverence as the fifty-five bamboo scrolls displayed within an honored alcove. Each had been painstakingly preserved against the ravages of time. Whether every one of those philosophical treatises had been penned by the man before the duo remained a question for another day.
Han Fei. The courteous curator of Ba Sing Se's Royal Museum. The unwanted prince from Omashu. The stuttering disciple of a heretical Earth Sage. A graduate of the illustrious Ji Xia Academy.
Above all else, a sage that never was, and the foremost inheritor of the Earth Kingdom's most reviled school of thought. And most relevant at this very moment, Director of the city's Central Secretariat.
"Hmph, I see Shan has certainly found himself quite the illustrious teacher," Mayumi remarked with thinly veiled sarcasm. "Just how much of this do you intend to reveal to him?"
Han Fei answered with a soft, amused chuckle. "As his hired bodyguard, you certainly underestimate my star pupil. While I have been rather selective in what I chose to teach him regarding the day-to-day machinery of the state, he has learned far more than you realize." Naturally, a man as cunning as he was could not allow Mayumi's remark to go unanswered. "Curious," he mused, voice dripping with mock contemplation. "The Kyoshi Warriors have never been strangers to mercenary work. One would think that when seeking a place as a retainer to my star pupil, you might have spared a thought about your people's ties Fire Lord Zuko as a way of advertisement."
Hearing that, Mayumi found not riposte, of course the director already knew they also withheld their true identities as Kyoshi Warrior to Shan. Only Satchiko appeared genuinely stunned as the man stepped into the firelight, allowing his features to emerge from the shadows.
"I had my suspicions about you, director," the older sister continued evenly. "I'm certain you've already deduced that our people refuse to even speak the name of your lot. In truth, that was our intention when we first came here."
Han Fei inclined his head. "A perfectly understandable sentiment. Indeed, it was the one I expected." This was also why the Dai Li had originally intended to leave the sisters undisturbed, knowing there are far greater concerns than two wandering Kyoshi Warriors, such as spies sent from other states and an increasingly troublesome spiritual movement sought to usurp millennia of religious tradition and replace the realm's established spirituality.
"Although, even I did not foresee your dangerous curiosity," the museum director admitted, the faint curl of his lips suggesting that the true source of their dispute lay not with circumstance, but with the younger sister's habitual disregard for the rules of the city. He settled back into his seat behind the desk, untroubled by the accusation of deceiving the duo hanging in the air. "Many have sat this seat, and this chamber has hosted its fair share of sagacious ministers and conniving knaves alike, but all united by a common desire to preserve the delicate balance upon which Ba Sing Se rests." His gaze drifted briefly toward the violet flames dancing within the hearth. "And here I was, naively believing that the sole purpose of your stay in this city was to attend the lectures of those pedantic Earth Sages and perhaps stumble your way toward mastering Earthbending in the process. But in your defense, even I must concede that Zhu Xi and his ilk in the Ministry of Rites were never exactly the greatest instructors." Another dry chuckle escaped him. "Alas, it seems we overlooked a rather important possibility. It is after all just a minor inconvenience on our part that the renowned Kyoshi Warriors are apparently just as capable of becoming wanted fugitives as any common criminal."
"That governor from the state of Yi was hardly a model of wisdom," Mayumi countered without missing a beat. "My sister acted rashly. But surely someone of your high position recognizes that delivering us into the hands of a vain and fatuous official serves no one's interests. Ba Sing Se would not truly benefit from friendship with inept warlords, and I doubt you look fondly towards Yi's close ally to the west."
The Dai Li, and those that lead them, likely won't even care about the extravagant rewards issued by a wanton man. Even their ordinary agents seemed almost ascetic, displaying little desire for wealth or luxury despite the ruthless efficiency with which they carried out their duties.
A slow nod soon followed from Han Fei, his hands resting upon the desk as his fingers brushed over two weathered wanted posters bearing the seal of the State of Yi. Their governor's disastrous handling of the food shortage, choosing instead to conscript his peasants into the lucrative mines rather than preserve their labor for the cultivation of vital farmland is a continuous failure that had reached even the highest echelons of Ba Sing Se. There is a certain bitter comedy in the matter. The State of Yi possessed a wealth of mineral riches yet suffered from barren agricultural prospects, while Ba Sing Se's greatest advantage among the independent states is precisely the opposite with its vast stretches of fertile farmland and seemingly inexhaustible supply of grain and rice. Double the harvest even.
"Your resentment toward such arbitrary persecution is understandable," Han Fei said at last. "During the previous Avatar's… oversight, the Earth Kingdom's central authority crumbled into dust beyond these walls. Law has become even more wanton than it already was. Granted, I suspect future historians chronicling this age of fractured kingdoms and warring states would be lenient. It is only fair that the sentencing of your sister under the laws of this city alone would be entirely legitimate."
"Do not cross that line here!" Mayumi's voice cracked through the room, understanding the full implications. Like a whip, she jabbed an accusing finger at the director. "Whatever my sister did doesn't deserve the same punishment as thieves and murderers. Had this happened on Kyoshi Island—"
Han Fei raised one hand, silencing any further argument. Calmly, he proclaimed that even if they were daughters of Akahana, why should they expect any special treatment from an organization that had long condemned as draconian? The mere act of an outsider knowingly trespassing upon the forbidden grounds of the Upper Ring, especially the training courtyards of this city's most vital enforcers, was more than sufficient legal justification for punishment. Such a violation was not a simple misunderstanding, but a deliberate breach of the order and authority that governed Ba Sing Se.
"If only my concerns extended no further than safeguarding a single island instead of a city that has stood as the Earth Kingdom's capital through countless dynasties. Yet within the span of mere days, the two of you have managed to force my hand more than men who spent decades plotting this city's downfall." Han Fei exhaled a weary sigh, one earned through decades rather than irritation alone. "Despite my reservations, I have long believed that those who serve Ba Sing Se should be afforded a measure of discretion within their respective duties. Rigidity preserves order, yes, but judicious flexibility is beneficial to the overall preservation of harmony."
Satchiko's eyes narrowed. "Wu Wei?"
An eager nod from the director approved her observation. He had, if only briefly, entertained the possibility of making an exception. Acquitting Satchiko of any charges would have been hypocrisy to the entire ideals of Legalism, but a forgivable one if mainstream morality is applied. But what self-respecting Legalist would ever stoop so low as to heed the indecisiveness of senile fools like Avtar Roku?
Then, the two sisters watched as Han Fei's gaze drifted toward the weathered skull resting upon his desk. The silent relic spun no argument, and he spoke as if there is no fear that the content of the speech would proliferate across the world.
"I was shown no such leniency upon arriving here. An unwanted scion discarded by one city, only to be nearly beheaded by another." A faint, humorless smile crossed his lips, right hand gently caressing the skull on the desk. "And yet, here I stand, entrusted with deciding the fates of those who arrived under circumstances not altogether unlike my younger self."
"We are not unwanted," Satchiko snapped.
"No, you are not," Han Fei agreed without hesitation. "The circumstance rhythms about outsiders committing acts that would warrant the executioner's blade."
Speaking of which, although the younger sister had not committed espionage on behalf of another state or foreign power, the very attempt to decipher the Earthbending techniques of the much-feared Dai Li secret police was in itself tantamount to an act of grievous treason against Ba Sing Se. Perhaps worse. Had they not been genuine Kyoshi Warriors, but merely impostors masquerading beneath the guise of those revered fighters, not a single Dai Li agent would have hesitated to carry out their complete eradication. All for the sake of not repeating the same failure during the Hundred Year War, a humiliating chapter for the Earth Kingdom that still bleeds so deeply.
"I do wonder if either of you truly comprehend how fortunate you are to have even arrived here alive," Han Fei remarked. "Myself and others ensured that the newest generation of this city's guardians of cultural heritage would surpass their predecessors in both competence and resolve. Of course, I suppose it is more reasonable to confer restraint and discernment to the entire courtyard of agents rather than mistaking it for softness."
Satchiko's glare sharpened. It was not as though being struck by a storm of lethal earthen tiles had been some harmless lesson in humility. Even so, an unarmed Kyoshi Warrior is still of a worthy fight. What would stop them from just attacking Han Fei himself? Some concealed mechanism? Some carefully prepared deception? At least carelessly exposing himself to two potentially dangerous warriors is a clever way solidifying the need for sentencing.
"So, what happens to me now?"
The bold question was tossed by Satchiko herself. Even Mayumi had not wished to force the matter into words. After all, buried somewhere beneath the weight of fear and uncertainty, there remained the faintest fragment of hope that perhaps these staunch guardians of Ba Sing Se might waver slightly in their iron discipline. At least to ordinary citizens, was the Dai Li not also the organization responsible for the collapse of the city's outer walls during its darkest hour? Was their history truly so spotless that no mercy could ever be afforded to others?
A long silence followed. Only after considerable thought did the director finally prepare his answer. His speech carried the elegance expected of an educated gentleman of Earth Kingdom high culture, yet beneath the polished courtesy lay a severity not unlike that of his most dedicated student. Only those words were softened by the veil of refinement.
"Even if I personally perceive this matter differently, how do you expect me to persuade every Dai Li agent, inscrutable ministers and the steadfast generals, who believes that trespassers upon Ba Sing Se's most secure institutions deserve rightful punishment?" Han Fei replied, returning her question with one of his own. "If the mere attempt to uncover and replicate Dai Li techniques, skills that can either protect or destroy the very foundations of this city, why should any member amongst the ranks of brocade accept excuses born from youthful curiosity? Your lack of proficiency in Earthbending would be an even more absurd justification in their eyes."
Mayumi wanted to protest, to challenge the minister's judgement with every argument she could muster. Yet before she could utter a word, Satchiko gently placed a hand upon her sister's arm, ironically being the one to urge restraint in this instance. The gesture carried a quiet acknowledgement, not necessarily of agreement, but of an understanding that Han Fei's harsh reasoning was not without its own measure of logic.
"You have faced death many times on your journey here, have you not?" Han Fei asked Satchiko carefully. There was no cruelty in the voice. Instead, it bore the carefulness of someone attempting not to crush what little resolve remained. "The youngest generation has been unfortunate enough to be born into a chaotic era defined by endless conflict. Yet how can this rare haven of stability and calm ever survive if personal whims are allowed to apply selective consequences?" He lifted his cup of tea and took a quiet sip. "Perhaps, in your next life, you will exercise greater caution. It is a shame. Though I have always believed that Shan's first student should hail from this city itself, someone who could become deeply intertwined with its governance, I admit having entertained the possibility that you might one day become a true disciple of our principles." The lament in his voice was genuine, perhaps hoping for some kind of understanding from the young pupil herself. Among the affluent families of the Earth Kingdom, it is almost unheard of for their heirs to seek education from anywhere other than under the guidance of the supposedly prestigious Earth Sages. To lose a young mind with such potential, however talented in writing or calligraphy she may be, is still an unfortunate blow to a harsh philosophy already overshadowed by the mainstream sagely tradition.
"The potential was undeniable. Yet how can the law of this city tolerate someone who knowingly violates it?" Han Fei's expression hardened, but not out of malice. "An inconvenient precedent should not be permitted to exist from this incident. Unless there exists some extraordinary circumstance beyond what is currently known about you, such as you somehow being revealed as the one, a possibility I shall not even waste time investigating given its near-impossible likelihood. I cannot grant you an exception that would only undermine the trust of those who have devoted themselves to serving this city."
Defeated and utterly without recourse, the two fugitives were soon escorted from the chamber by a squad of Dai Li agents. A small measure of dignity was afforded to them. They were not bound in chains, nor forced into wooden cangues like common criminals. Whether this was because their captors recognized they posed little physical threat, or because the Dai Li still held some slimmer of respect for those who shared the legacy of their mutual founder, remained uncertain.
Han Fei watched them leave in solemn silence, already knowing the outcome. The elder sister would likely survive, given her knowledge and cooperation as an informant chosen by the Inquisitor could still serve the interests of the state. But the younger one who had infiltrated the Dai Li's own training grounds would absolutely not be spared the judgement demanded by Ba Sing Se's uncompromising laws.
The expectations placed upon Han Fei were not his alone. They were shared by every Dai Li from the highest-ranking official to the most ordinary agents in the Lower Ring. Unlike those who failed this city, now they expect nothing less than impartial enforcement, free from prejudice and favoritism. Without such unwavering fairness, what distinction remained between them and those reincarnating arbitrators of peace, most of whom seem guided by personal ties?
"Alchemist." A Dai Li agent entered the chamber, carrying a verbal message. "The White Scholar requests an audience."