This article is about the first earthbender and namesake of Omashu. For the Fire Nation general, see Shu (Fire Nation general). For the Fire Nation citizen, see Xu. For other uses, see Omashu (disambiguation).
Shu is a legendary figure who, along with his lover Oma, was one of the world's first two human earthbenders. His death eventually led to the creation of the Earth Kingdomcity of Omashu. Oma and Shu's tombs lie side by side within the Cave of Two Lovers; its decorated walls tell their story.
Shu met Oma on top of a mountain that divided their two villages, but because they belonged to two warring tribes, they were forbidden from seeing each other. However, their love was strong, and they found a way to continue meeting. Both of them learned earthbending from the badgermoles who dwelt within the mountain; thus, Oma and Shu became the first earthbenders. Using their bending, they carved elaborate tunnels and continued to see each other secretly by traveling these passages, designing the tunnels so that anyone who followed them would be lost forever.
The two lovers conducted these underground meetings until Shu was killed in a raid on his village. Distraught by her loss, Oma unleashed a powerful and devastating display of her earthbending prowess, but instead of destroying the two villages, she declared the war between them over. Together, both villages helped her build a new city where they would peacefully coexist. The great city was named Omashu as a monument to the couple's love.[1]
Shu bore a very close resemblance to Romeo from William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. Like Romeo, Shu belonged to a territory at war with Oma's. Even though they were considered enemies, they fell in love with each other. He, like Romeo, met a tragic end.
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