Shao watched as the woman on the Eel hound bolted down without even a trace of recognition, obviously not hearing him. Shao fell to the ground, panting, finding himself oddly tired, his heart pounding. His arm and head ached, but it didn't seem to be anything too serious. In the background, the sounds of combat was still heard, though it had died down a bit, either from moving to a farther location or from a lack of combatants. Shao realized he was all alone, and while the thought troubled him slightly, he figured it was better than being with a fire bender, like the ones that that air bender had saved him from. At least he thought he was an air bender. What he did could've easily been replicated by a fan, though Shao didn't recall seeing one.
Shaking his head, Shao stood up, having to steady himself against the wall as a lightheaded-ness washed over him, disturbing his balance. He wanted to go back and save those who had been hurt. He was sure to know some of them and wanted to protect them. But all he could do was run, like the coward he was. He punched the wall in anger and frustration, before immediately regretting it and shaking his hand, cursing under his breath. He felt something running down his face and, though he initially thought it was blood again, realized it was fresh tears that he was crying. Upon realizing this, he broke down, overcome with a sense of weakness and uselessness.
Eventually he steadied himself, wiped the tears from his eyes and face, and looked up. To the normal eye, all there was before him was a complex maze of alleyways between high earthen buildings, but Shao knew exactly where he was. He figured that, if he wanted to live to see another day, he should head to the palace. Maybe then he could find a way to be of use to someone. So, without further adieu, he began to run though the alleyways, making his way over to the palace, his last hope for sanctuary.
