Kaito followed the soldier, his eyes taking in the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the Earth Kingdom. They traveled through rolling hills and dense forests, passing by small villages and bustling market towns.
As they walked, the soldier, whose name was Sergeant Lin, asked Kaito questions about his past. Kaito hesitated at first, unsure of how much to reveal, but Sergeant Lin's kind and non-judgmental demeanor put him at ease.
"I was born and raised in the Fire Nation," Kaito explained. "I was trained as a firebender from a young age, and I quickly rose through the ranks. But as I saw more and more of the Fire Nation's brutality, I began to question my loyalty."
Sergeant Lin nodded thoughtfully. "I can understand why you would feel that way," he said. "The Fire Nation's actions have been...disturbing, to say the least."
Kaito felt a surge of gratitude towards Sergeant Lin. It was refreshing to meet someone who didn't immediately judge him for his past.
After several days of travel, they finally arrived at the Earth Kingdom's capital city, Ba Sing Se. Kaito's eyes widened as he took in the sheer scale of the city. Towering walls and grand architecture stretched out as far as the eye could see.
Sergeant Lin led Kaito to the palace, where they were greeted by a stern-looking official.
"Ah, Sergeant Lin," the official said. "You've brought the Fire Nation defector."
Sergeant Lin nodded. "Yes, sir. This is Kaito."
The official eyed Kaito warily. "I am Chancellor Zhou," he said. "And I will be deciding your fate, Kaito."
Kaito swallowed hard, feeling a sense of trepidation. He knew that he had a long and difficult road ahead of him, but he was determined to prove himself.