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I don't know if I should do this.Perhaps, I shouldn't.Perhaps, I should have stopped the moment I knew there was no going back.Call me sentimental, but I wanted to, anyway.None of the others was going to stop me and I wasn't about to go back now. Not when I had put the recorder on, too.I don't know how I should do this, there was no manual whatsoever.You would think of it as something...funny. Considering I used to live somewhere like you. In the cities, safe from anything that the natural world, the...outside world where no technology touched it. I should have known about technology, shouldn't I?Hell, the only person who wouldn't have known about something like this would have been him, but then, he has started to learn as well and he is going to be even better than me. Probably.At any rate, I...I'm going a bit off-topic, I suppose. This wasn't the purpose or the reason why I turned this thing on.Right.Might as well start somewhere, so...let's go with an introduction.Hi. My name is Kim Soowon and I'm...well, let's just say and I'm a part of a small rebellion.To be truthfully honest, it isn't a rebellion as much as it's more of a...well, it's not a rebellion. I don't know how to start honestly, and despite his old age...Inho might know more about how to do this rather me.Old age is probably not the right word, but there's no other way to describe it. Another way to describe it is maybe, he's immortal. That's the only word that I can think of. Well, what we could think of.And, Byungju just elbowed me. He's getting pretty impatient, I guess.The four of us are going to move to another place when I turn this thing on. I know more than anyone the danger of being in one place for too long, especially for someone like us.Ow. Hey, I told you that I'll wrap this up quickly!What?No.I'm not going to get us to discover, you know more than anyone that I wouldn't.Well, I suppose you're right, Inho. Byungju's probably being a brat again.Don't tell me that you're not! You know that you're a big brat!Oh, shut up.Anyway...where was I?Oh.Right.I haven't even started yet aside from the introduction.I guess I really should get started in telling this...story. We don't have much time before one of them barged into this place and I most certainly don't want to find out what it's like to be in prison.Let's start over, then, shall we?Hi, my name is Kim Soowon. I won't tell you my age, so don't bother searching through this whole recording for it. I am, or rather, was a student in one of the most prestigious universities in the City. I lived with my parents. I wanted to live in the dorms, but it didn't matter now, did it?Not after the Infection hits.I'm sure you know about the Infection. I think...it's more like a plague, rather than the Infection, but the government decided to call it the Infection. It didn't really do anything, other than making you very sick and dying almost instantly. How do you spot it, you may ask?Easy.The human's skin becomes very red. Their eyes become bloodshot and they would stagger as if they were drunk. Though, they're not drunk. Skin contact is not recommended in this situation since the virus can infect you with touch. It's not instant, at least, not as instant as it would be if you were in the range of someone sneezing or coughing.I don't really remember how it first started. All I remember is the fact that everyone had to leave. Those who were sick, old people, and babies barely the age of one would be left behind. Cruel, isn't it? Not that people would care much. Not when all they care about is saving their own skin.I was one of the people who was left behind.Surprise?Yes. I didn't die, thankfully. I managed to survive because of well, maybe you could call it sheer will. It wasn't anything impressive. Trust me. I was just...lucky. It took me almost a whole week of trying and well, most of the time failing to go to the nearest pharmacy and look for a medicine.Food was also a problem. I couldn't very much cook, now, could I? I did my best, though. Instant food was a blessing. I managed to heat up most of my food that way.The first two days...I could survive through that.On the third day, though...everything was off. Electricity. Water. You name it. I guess the government didn't want to waste any more space on this and decided to turn everything off. The people left behind were going to die, anyway, so why waste the resources on them?Thankfully, I had a thought of collecting everything I could and hiding somewhere in an abandoned building.The fourth day... Well, the fourth day was quite shocking, to say the least. There was a truck circling around the city. Its engine was really loud, I could still hear it even now. Call it PTSD or whatever, but I said what I said. The truck from where I managed to peek through from the place I was hiding was picking out the dead bodies and tossing them onto the back of the truck.If the person wasn't dead, they would kill them in cold blood.I knew that I shouldn't let anyone find me.I hid and hid, not wanting to get out.Fortunately, they didn't check the buildings unless they heard noises. I was very lucky. I didn't come out anymore until the week was almost over.That was when I heard it. Another vehicle. This one was a bit different than the truck the officials used to collect and kill the people. It had...let's just say a much lighter sound than the one from before. I don't know how to describe it other than that.I still didn't dare come out. They might be using a different vehicle. It's most certainly possible.Something told me that it was a different person entirely.But still, I'm not taking any chances. Not when I was still sick. Not when I was still too weak to defend myself.I waited for the sound of people talking. I waited for something that indicated the person was gone.Nothing.There was absolutely nothing.No sound at all.Curiosity got the better of me and I took a peek. I saw a man. Shorter than the officials I had seen so far. Shorter and more lean than anyone I had met. There was something about him that screamed he was different. Something about him told me that this person is not one to mess with. This man did nothing aside from looking around. I watched him move around the place. I watched him walking back and forth on the street below, muttering something.I must have made a noise. I must have done something because the next thing I knew, the man looked straight at me. I immediately hid. I cursed myself for doing something to make a noise.Now, my fate's sealed, isn't it?That man was the one who helped me and is the person currently sitting next to me with a very threatening-looking gun.What?It's the truth. You can't tell me otherwise.Oh. Shut up. As if you're not a softie, too.Anyway, continuing. After a few minutes, I peeked again and saw the man was gone. I didn't know whether I should sigh in relief or not. Someone cleared their throat behind me and I couldn't help but froze.Slowly. Very slowly, I turned around and came face-to-face with that man."You look sick." He told me.Geez. Thanks. As if I needed a reminder of the condition I was in.I wanted to reply, but my throat felt so itchy that I couldn't help but cough.The man sighed and bent down. He didn't mind the dirt on the floor. He picked up a medicine that looked oddly like the correct medicine for my current condition and extended it towards me. Most of the officials I have seen would never done this. Most of them would scoff in disgust and kill me on the spot.I was still sick, mind you. The sight in front of me was also a bit blurry since I couldn't really see. I could make out the silhouette of the person in front of me, though. General movement, mostly."Do you think you could stand?" The man asked.I didn't answer. Looking back now, it's probably a stupid decision. I have done a lot of stupid and well, I think this one may have taken the cherry.No.That one DOES NOT count, Lee Byungju.Sorry for the constant interruptions.At any rate, I tried to stand and as you could have guessed for someone who hadn't done much exercising aside from barely walking to the street across collected as many as fast as my sickly body would allow, which would not be much, I immediately toppled back down.I was surprised to see that the man didn't do anything. He didn't whip out any guns or do something that would end me. He just watched me patiently."What...do you want?" I asked slowly, my voice hoarser than I remember."Help," He replied, "That's all I wanted," He deflated, "I couldn't help anyone. Most of them are either dead or have already been cleared by the Officials. I-" He immediately quieted down as we both heard it.The sound of a familiar truck.The Officials had come.Hm? What? Oh. I should probably go now. It seems like we must go now if we don't want to be captured by anyone.
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Hey.Byungju here.Soowon-hyung had fallen asleep and I doubt he would be getting up anytime soon. I know that I should probably wake him up and not record this, but well, I can't help myself. I don't know if I should be doing this, either.We have managed to find a...somewhat good place to settle. It's probably going to take a while before we have to move again. Being constantly on the move...Well, let's just say it's not something I'm fond of. I know. I know what you're going to say.If you heard the previous recording, you would probably think that it's a constant for us.In a way, that's true.We do have to move around a lot. It's tiring, sure, but it's the only way we could survive.Don't get me wrong, I'm not so spoiled as to think that everything is sunshine and rainbows.Wait. That's not true. I used to think something like that. I used to think that I was on top of the world. I used to think that I had to be served and people had to wait on my feet the whole time.But, after what had happened... After what I have witnessed...Let's just say that I have a change of mind.This might overlap a bit with what I heard Soowon-hyung had recorded, but well, please bear with me a bit.Hi. I am Lee Byungju. I'm a noble from the Lands of Fire. It...it used to be something I was proud of. I lived in quite a...loving family. If you ignore the politics and the behind-the-scenes powerplay, obviously.I was accustomed to having servants. I was accustomed to being served. As I have stated before. It's...well, leaving like this...living like this with them...Back then, it...it wasn't something I thought was possible.Yes. My perspective was a bit...Well, let's just say that my perspective is a bit narrow, to say the least. I thought that the world was sunshine and rainbows.In a way, I suppose that it's true. It was indeed amazing. I could have everything I ever wanted, well...aside from leaving the mansion, of course. Leaving the mansion without my parents or servants knowing. So, aside from parties for the nobles, I never really went out. Back then, I don't know why. Not that I wanted to find out why. I was quite happy living like that.Until, one day, someone came to me.It was a man. You probably heard about it from Soowon-hyung's recording. A short man with a lean build. He was on top of the tree where my bedroom window was. It was something, to say the least.I wasn't too proud to admit that perhaps I shrieked a little. I have never seen that man before in my life and no one. I mean, no one should have been able to come inside without one of the guards or servants knowing about them. Besides, I have, well, my family had several dogs. They would have barked and alerted everyone of this man's presence.Yet. They didn't.No one did. The man was just sitting there and no one knew. Except for me."A caged bird," The man said as soon as I opened the window to confront him, "What a pity.""Who are you and how did you get here?" I demanded."A traveler," He replied, "That's who I am. As to how I get here, well, that's none of your concern.""What do you want?""Company," He said, "Nothing more and nothing less. I...let's just say that I'm bored and my traveling companion was a bit tied up on another errand, so I had no one to talk to, and well, here I am.""That still doesn't explain how you ended up here," I told him. It was mind-blowing to say the least. There was no way this man could have come and gone undetected.The man merely hummed and asked again, "Do you know the reason or well, why you couldn't go outside of this mansion?"I scoffed, "I'm very sure there must be a perfectly good reason why I can't go outside," I recited what my parents told me every time I asked them why I couldn't go outside like the rest of my peers, kids I have seen walking around outside of the mansion's window, "There are many bad people out there. That's why I can't go outside. My parents wanted to protect me. Here, in the mansion, it's safe. No bad people, no one to hurt me or well, I won't be able to get influenced by the bad people and bring shame to my family."The man didn't say anything for a long while. He merely stares at me. When he asked, though, I...I didn't know what to say, "Do you want to go out and well, metaphorically I guess, do you want to spread your wings, Lee Byungju?"I was baffled. "How...how did you know my name?""I have my ways," The man smiled mysteriously before he extended a hand, "Well? Do you want to go outside and see the world?"I hesitated. I...I wanted to go out. I wanted to see what was the problem. I wanted to see why my parents wouldn't let me go outside. I was...curious.But, I also know that curious kills the cat. Curiosity may not always be good.I accepted the hand.Call me foolish. Call me stupid. But that day... That day was probably one of the best days of my life.As I have stated before, I never went outside the mansion. Outside of the carriage and parties for the nobles, anyway. The man lent me his coat because clearly, I wasn't dressed for the occasion, as you may have already guessed. I was still in my sleepwear and it was a bit too cold to go outside. I couldn't go without a care, either, since I know more than anyone how hard it would be to not be recognized.It was...amazing.It was different than what I had initially thought. There were...several beggars, nothing new of course, every country must have had a difference in class. I am accustomed to it now, but back then... Well, let's just say that I was very surprised and curious to see such people.Living on the street was not something I had seen or thought of before.The man and I... We went around the market for a bit. I saw how the man chuckled. I wished I had brought money with me. There were several things in the market that I wanted to buy. The man kindly lent some money for me and assured me that I didn't need to pay him back.We went back around dusk. No one seems to know about my departure and I was...safe. The man promised me to come again the next day. He promised that he would be there and we could go out again.It became a routine.I never met this man's friend before. I never met Soowon-hyung until that last day. That last day I became a part of my family. The last day I could proudly say that I am a noble from the Land of Fires.It was normal. The man and I went out to the town. We looked around the market, he chatted a bit with the people here and there while I stood to the sides. Then... someone approached us. I didn't recognize him, back then, as Soowon-hyung. He approached the two of us and talked to the man.You may have already guessed at this point, but the man was actually-Ow.Don't kick me like that.Okay, fine. I won't spoil.Geez.The person in question said that he would tell you about himself in the recording. Alright, then, guess I should probably not spoil who he is right now though I'm sure you may have guessed who it is.Long story short, we were...discovered. By one of the people I hate the most back then and still, to this day. My cousin.He screamed, very loudly, might I add, my name, "Byungju!" He shouted, "Fancy seeing you here.""Hello, dear cousin," I pulled the hood of the borrowed coat down, "I could say the same to you.""Well, I wouldn't say that I am happy to see you," Huh. I guess we shared the same sentiment, "But, still, it's always a pleasure to see you."I didn't reply. My eyes were looking everywhere, for a way to escape. I don't really remember, but Sowoon-hyung said I was gripping his arms very tightly, "I don't know about you but I am thrilled to see that the caged bird is finally being let out," My cousin continued, "I do hope that you can show me the way to your mansion," His face twisted into that fake apologetic look that I hate, "My servants abandoned me, you see. Incapable fools, I know you understand."What I did know is the fact that he would embarrass me and my parents would give a very thorough scolding about this.I released my hold on Sowoon-hyung's arms and pushed the hood down, revealing my face for well, maybe the first time since I first stepped into this market, alone, "Well, then, dear cousin," I smiled, gathering all the bravery that I have, "I do hope that you're ready because this...this is a trip I'm sure you would remember."When we got home, I did get a thorough dressing down by my parents. And something else, too."I'm very disappointed in you, Byungju," My father glared at me, "I wanted to best for you. WE wanted the best for you. And yet, this is how you repay the both of us.""Father, I-""I don't want a son like you," He said, "I never did," He turned towards all of the servants, "Starting from this day! Lee Byungju is no longer my son!"He disowned me.Honestly, he must have said something more, but it was a big blur to me. All I could think of was...where should I go?I was thrown out of the house with a single small suitcase filled with my clothes and money. I knew my parents were just doing a show and would be taking me back after I begged them to return to the family.That was what I was going to do. Into my parent's plans.I would, too, if it wasn't for the man and well...Soowon-hyung. The two of them showed me that I could be my own person. Leaving was hard, but seeing the two of them, I knew I needed a few days to really think things through.Well, looking back, it, leaving...wasn't...as painful as I remembered it to be. I already know that I never belong there, I just...simply never addressed it.I should probably go to sleep now. My nightwatch shift is about to be over and I can see Inho-hyung awake for his. I really want to tell you how I first learned to fire bend, but well, it's not like it's going to be today or in this recording, I guess.Good night.
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There's no simple way to say this, but I'm just going to say this outright.Inho is gone.No one knew where he was or what happened to him.He was here and then...gone.I know Byungju was recording last night. He told me and Soowon that much. He also said that Inho was there. That is also true because based on the sleeping bag, HIS sleeping bag, it was still warm.He just simply...left. Without taking any of his things and without alerting any of us.I know this past few days have been rough. For all of us, but especially for him.There is no easy way to say this, but he is the Avatar and his bending got sealed. By some magic creature.We were surprised. We never knew that such a thing was possible. Hell, even now, I still can't believe that such a thing is possible. The only thing that we know is possible is the fact that the Avatar can help the people, someone to learn how to bend. We know it is possible, after all, wasn't that what he did for us? Wasn't that the reason why we could go back to the ways of the old as some Elders in the Water Tribe would say. They were disappointed when I left, but also happy.I was leaving with the Avatar, wasn't I? For them and probably for me, before I started to grow close to all of them and think of them as my friends, it was the highest honor we could have ever gotten.I used to not care about the others. I used to not care about the other two. All I cared about was the Avatar. I didn't even bother to learn his name, all I cared about was that he was well and would be able to do his job.I was arrogant, that much is clear. The other two, Byungju and Soowon, were trying their best to do something, to help the Avatar in his venture. I didn't. Well, at least, I don't think I did.Anyway... I am rambling, aren't I?Back to the topic.The creature was pissed, to say the least. It looked at Inho, scanning him from head to toe. I didn't even know why I grabbed this recorder and decided to record just like those two. Something that happened so recently, too.I don't know.Maybe because I felt like I needed to talk to someone. Something. This recorder is probably the best choice.I can't talk to either Byungju or Soowon. I know that much. They're worried. Anxious. They still are. It took me quite a while to get them to at least rest, since, we can't really do anything if we are tired, can we?I think I know the reason why Inho left.It might have something to do with me having the same experience. Back when I was a child.It wasn't anything big, back then, let me tell you that much. It was a pretend. Hell, it was just a bunch of kids playing and then one of us got injured. Nothing too severe. But, kids being kids. We were a bit...dramatic about it.But, to this day, I can tell you with absolute certainty that it still lingers. It's a foreign feeling, even now, though I'm much older than back then and could identify the feeling well.Let me tell you this. It was...No. It is self-hate. Something similar to it, anyway. It's more than that. You could say that it's more like a depression. It spirals and won't stop until you or someone helps you get out of it.I guess...that thing, that pretend play I had when I was a kid. That was the moment I first threw away my emotions. My want. My need. My ambition. My wish.It was thanks to these three people beside me that I managed to...You could say that it's because of them that the real Kim Hyunyoung is here. It's because of them that I am and probably will be a...decent human being.If any of my friends heard this, they would probably scold me and tell me I am already a decent human being. Much more decent than the Water Tribe.I can't help but laugh. Excuse me for that. They said it with such sincerity that it makes you believe they came from decent families themselves.They didn't. They weren't.Most of our families...Well, it's not something that you would say a perfect family.I don't even know if anyone would be hearing this, what am I saying?I...I am truly sorry if whoever hears this if you hear me rambling a lot... I just... I am trying to think of the words in my mind before I...Well...Before I snap really. Because I have a feeling that it won't be long before I do.Inho's current disappearance... It's hard for all of us.I tried not to show it to the other two, but I had a feeling that they knew, anyway.Inho was... Inho is the person who brought all three of us together. We didn't even know why, even now... We still don't. It felt..random. It felt like he was just picking whatever.I...I have been having this feeling for a while and when we went to the Southern Air Tribe...Well, let's just say I am worried and anxious if we don't find him soon.Back then in the Southern Air Tribe, the Elders call him a failure. That he is nothing more than a selfish man. That he is not suitable to be the Avatar. That he should relish the position and give it to someone else.Honestly, back then, if it wasn't for Byungju's outburst, I would probably give the old man a proper dressing down.The other Southern Air Tribe citizens looked at him with disgust. We left as soon as we were able. He looked...It was suitable to say that he looked devastated. Not that we could blame him. He hadn't been home for so long. He had been looking, searching, for what, we may never know.Point is, he hadn't come home in a long time and when he did, that was the thing he received. The place you thought could be your home, the place you thought could be your safe space threw you away and spit on you. Byungju is probably much better in describing the feeling, but... I don't want him to say anything or even remember the time of his disownment. I know my family would never do that, though, the Elders? Doubtful.Anyway, I know that things seem to get harder and harder for him after everything. I know that he hasn't recovered. Not even well enough emotionally before we were thrust into a battle with the King.Oh, I could go on and on about how much I hate the King, but this is not about that.No.This is about how Inho seems reluctant to use his power. Just like those times before we found out who he truly is. Just like those times before he revealed himself. Before he told us who he truly is.The King's minions were excited. We tried to defeat them as best as we could. We know we need more training. Inho is the one who usually helped us, and provided us backup whenever we needed it. This time, it was in reverse.This time it was us who helped him. I don't know how to describe the feeling other than...it felt right. It felt right to do it.We got out of that fight, relatively unscathed. We went to this cave and as if the universe hated us...Maybe it really did hate us, we met the magic creature. It looked like a turtle. But at the same time, it also didn't look like a turtle.I don't know how to explain it in audio, but it...well that's the best description I could think of.It had been a few days since then. The whole time, I could see that Inho had been in a sad mood. The things the creature said and the Southern Air Tribe Elder's words were probably getting to him. I know it would if it was me. He tried to be cheery, but I could see that it was fake. A facade he put on for us.Funny how despite being with each other for a relatively short time, it felt like we have known each other our whole life. Is this what people call soulmates? Not the romantic kind, but the platonic one.It...Well, I'm not sure if I should be saying this, but...Soowon and I...We were. No. Are worried. We are worried. Despite his age and his constant reminder that he's older than all of us combined, I...We couldn't help but think of him as a younger brother.It was probably because his face looked younger than the two of us. it was probably he had been along this whole time, before us, before these things happened. I don't know. But, I feel like he is nothing more than a kid. Not that much older than Byungju. It could also be the fact that he was forced to grow up faster than he should be.I don't know. Honestly, I might be rambling at this point, but I don't know what else to say.I just wish that he was going to come back. I just wish that he's going to be here with us again.I wish that nothing bad happen to him.
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Is this thing on?Oh.It is on.I think it's about time I record something here. I had heard the previous three recordings and to say it touched me...Well, it's not that far off. Honestly, I would have cried if I wasn't so worried they would discover me.Yes.Hi.I am Inho and I am the Avatar.That's probably the simplest introduction I could think of.My disappearance wasn't planned, I can tell you that much. I...I was thinking one night and suddenly, everything just felt...suffocating. Overwhelming. The pressure was probably getting to me.No.That's not right.It had been getting to me long before I met these guys. Being an Avatar. Being the last Avatar that the previous one appointed...Well, hard is an understatement. I heard what Hyunyoung said about me. I heard what Soowon and Byungju said about 'the man'. Honestly, they could just outright say it was me, there was no need to be so damn dramatic about it.Whatever. It doesn't bother me.At least that's what I was going to say in the past. Now, though...Now I felt differently. Hyunyoung said that he felt like he had changed since he met us. Well, I can confidently say that he was not the only one. He was not the only one who had changed from where he was before.Meeting them was...I don't know how to describe this other than...fate. I didn't know when I chose them. Hell, I didn't even choose them like they believe. I just...It just felt right, you know? It just felt right to be with them. It just felt right that I was here with them. It just felt right back then to be with them, to journey together with them.I want to go back to them. Right now, I want to wake all of them and hug them. I want to say I'm sorry. I want to say so many different things. I can't. Not now. Not when there is too many things at stake. But, I know. I know that more than anything I'm afraid. I'm afraid...I'm scared that they are going to be disappointed in me.It's only a matter of time, isn't it?The people I have traveled to before. The people I had been with in the past.Weren't they like that? Weren't they the kind of people who would expect me to do things an Avatar is supposed to do? An Avatar should have been able to do anything. That much is true. An Avatar is supposed to be this all-knowing being who can help bring peace to all of the nations around the world.No.I can't. I can't be the Avatar.I can't be that man. Not anymore. I can't be the person they all see me. I...I have failed. I let the magic turtle take away my bending. I abandoned my friends when they needed me. I-I should probably stop rambling now. It's only a matter before they wake up and notice that this thing is gone.Yes.I stole the freaking recorder you're currently listening from.I don't know why or what compelled me to do it.Honestly, a lot of things hadn't made sense in a long time. I have stopped trying to decipher a lot of things for what it could have been. I had stopped thinking altogether at one point and just let go.It's scary, you know? Letting go.It's scary because you don't know what you should do. It's scary because then, and only then, would those people see you for who you are. Or, in this case, they would see who I am.A coward. A coward and a weakling.They may have seen me as this all-powerful and all-knowing person. The Elders had told me that I was a failure. Honestly? I agree. Though, those three didn't seem like they did. Byungju, especially. He gave that Elder quite a huge scolding that even I don't think he was capable of.The other Elders were quiet, but I could see and feel their disapproving stares. I wouldn't change them for anything in the world. I wouldn't do anything to separate the three of them. They suit each other, I realized that now, and maybe...I could fit in with them, too.But I couldn't risk it. No. I can't risk it.I can't risk hurting them. I can't risk dragging them into my problems. At first, I thought it was okay, but I know now that it's not. It's not okay. It's not okay to drag innocent people to your problem. What the hell were you thinking Ko Inho?Oh.Yes.My full name is Ko Inho. A bit...weird, don't you think? A bit...out of the place you would say.You know what?This is really a bad idea.