Cave of Two Lovers

The Cave of Two Lovers


Located near the city of Omashu in the Earth Kingdom, the Cave of Two Lovers, also known as the Secret Tunnel, is a series of caverns which pass underneath a section of the Kolau Mountain Range. It is considered the birthplace of earthbending and has become a place of legend revered by bards.

Creation
Legends say that the tunnels were created by Oma and Shu, who fell in love despite being from enemy villages. They are believed to have been the first earthbenders and created the passage between their villages to meet secretly.

Description
The "tunnel" is actually a giant underground labyrinth full of dangerous animals, including wolfbats and the gigantic badgermoles. It was also shown to be impossible to map the maze because the badgermoles change the tunnels regularly with earthbending, thus preventing any sort of normal navigation. In order to find the way out of the tunnels, one must "trust in love" and relinquish their dependence on torches and any sort of natural lighting. If this is done, shining crystals along the ceiling of the cave will guide the way to the exit. The Tomb of the Two Lovers can be found at the center of the cave. In the center of the labyrinth is the Tomb of the Two Lovers, which is believed to contain the remains of Oma and Shu, encased side-by-side in two massive stone sarcophagi. The walls of the tomb are decorated with carvings telling the story of the two lovers.