The roar of the engine echoed through the empty streets of Republic City.
Midnight cloaked the skyline in silence, the distant hum of streetlamps casting soft glows on steel and stone. Towers rose like sleeping titans, their glass skins reflecting the moonlight. But none of that mattered to the two souls riding beneath the stars.
The Satomobile they rebuilt together moved like it had been born for freedom. No sputters, no groans—just smooth velocity and the raw purr of finely tuned engineering. Its deep-blue body shimmered like mercury under the moon, and the chrome sang against the wind.
Asami gripped the wheel tightly, wind rippling through her untied hair. She wore her black leather racing jacket now—one she hadn't donned in years—zipped halfway up, goggles strapped loose over her forehead.
Kaiqok sat in the passenger seat, eyes closed, leaning into the wind with a faint smirk on his face. He hadn't said a word in the last ten minutes.
Not because there was nothing to say.
But because he didn't want to ruin the moment.
"This city doesn't sleep," she finally said, her voice barely above the roar.
"Neither do we," he replied, eyes still closed.
She glanced at him. "You don't mind the speed?"
"I've raced lightning on foot. This is… peaceful."
She laughed, a little too loudly. "Peaceful? At a hundred and twenty?"
"I'm sitting beside you," he said, opening his eyes and catching hers. "What could be dangerous?"
She blinked. Her heart fluttered—not from the speed this time.
From him.
---
They reached the coast just as the city gave way to open road. A steel bridge stretched ahead, its center lined with glowing power cores that lit up the path like a runway.
Asami hit the accelerator.
The Satomobile leapt forward, engine howling, tires gripping hard against the road. Wind tore past them, faster now, sharper, glorious.
Kaiqok laughed. "Okay, now it's less peaceful!"
"You sure?" she teased.
He leaned his head back and shouted into the sky, "Faster!"
She gave him what he wanted.
For a moment, there was only wind. Only the thunder of the engine and the soft laughter of two souls flying free in the dark.
---
They pulled off the road at the end of the bridge, near a cliff that overlooked the sea. The moon's reflection rippled on the water, scattered like spilled silver.
Asami killed the engine.
Silence took over.
For a while, they just sat there. Breathing. Listening.
Then Asami turned to him, legs crossed, arm draped over the wheel. "You know, I haven't done this since before Amon."
Kaiqok glanced at her. "Night rides?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Just… escape. Me, a machine, and the moon."
"And now me," he added softly.
She smiled. "Yeah. Now you."
They climbed out of the car, boots crunching gravel as they walked to the edge of the cliff. The breeze here was colder, saltier, wild with the scent of the sea. Asami leaned on the railing, her hair fluttering behind her like a banner.
Kaiqok stood beside her, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the horizon.
"You think you'll stay?" she asked.
He didn't answer right away.
"I think…" he said slowly, "I never really understood what it meant to want to stay. Until now."
Her eyes flicked toward him.
"I've moved through so many worlds," he continued, "so many battles. Power, purpose, revenge... I've worn those like armor. But this—" he turned to her— "this is the first time it feels like I found something worth protecting."
Asami's breath caught. "Me?"
"You. Korra. Opal. This world." He smiled. "But tonight? Just you."
She stepped closer, their arms brushing. "You know I don't let people in easy."
"I didn't come to break you open," he murmured. "I came to build something beside you."
Her hand found his.
"You say things like that, I might never let you leave."
He chuckled. "Good. Because I don't plan to."
---
The stars were starting to thin as dawn crept in behind them, but neither moved to go.
Eventually, she leaned her head on his shoulder.
He wrapped his arm around her waist, warm and steady.
"I needed this," she whispered.
"I know."
"And you didn't even ask for anything in return."
"I don't need anything back," he said gently. "You're already giving me more than I had in two lifetimes."
They stayed like that for a long time.
Two figures on a cliff. One born of chakra and spirit. The other, of steel and resilience. Bound not by duty, but by choice.
---
Far below, in the water, something stirred.
A ripple—barely noticeable.
A spirit in the shape of a massive sea serpent opened one eye and watched them from the waves, ancient and curious. It saw the golden mark on the boy's skin and the fire behind the girl's gaze.
Then it vanished into the depths.
Change was coming.
But tonight, the storm waited.