63Chapter 19: Deception
The sound of heavy breathing whistled through the idle atmosphere. Its originator currently under immense physical and mental training within an isolated and thought to be timeless sector of the spirit realm. It is a place where the remaining Avatars had gone into hiding. A place accessible to only those who have obtained an aura of absolute purity. Not many knew of its existence, for such a dimension had only been discovered by those who have achieved the highest level of spiritual connection. Avatar Yangchen had been one of the few gifted Avatar's to master this gift. The lineage of the Air Nomads running through her veins had assisted greatly in reaching such enlightenment. Because of that, she had guided the remaining survivors to retreat to such a place. A place that was believed to hold no connection with the laws of physics nor spirituality.
Tenzin, marveled by this dimension at first, had been kept in this place for weeks now - training tirelessly with the three that guided him here. Avatar Kyoshi had been hard, yet firm when it came to her teachings. Her ideals of justice being brought upon those who prey upon the weak and helpless had been the backbone of her personality. Because of this, she did not express compassion nor kindle to him at first, and still hardly does. But even then, her teachings had sharpened his own methods greatly. As Toph had been an excellent mentor in the art of defensive counters, she had taught him to become more ferocious and directive.
Avatar Yangchen, a woman of hospitality and wisdom had proven to be exactly the person he needed in his life. A teacher, a master, and an Air Bender. His self-teachings in the art Air Bending could only bring him so far, and Yangchen had been the one to help him push pass those boundaries. Of course, not all of his self-teachings had been a waste. After all, Yangchen had been greatly impressed by how he managed to manipulate air into some sort of glider below his feet. The technique had increased his speed dramatically - giving him more of a chance to get the edge on his opponents while maneuvering in angles that was thought to be impossible. When the two had sparred, his first demonstration of this maneuver had impressed her. Yet still, his struggle to try and best the Avatar in her primary element had failed due to his lack of experience. In the end - unlike Kyoshi, Yangchen had been kind and caring over him. She was motherly, protective, caring - yet a scolding was still viable if deemed necessary.
Lastly, Avatar Roku had been the most troubling of all. Not because the man was hard, or kind, or even neglectful. None of those were even an issue with Tenzin. His only flaw was that he couldn't teach him in ways that Yangchen and Kyoshi had. As the Avatar, their mastery over the four elements had been no surprise, yet their strongest link still remained with their founding element. Roku couldn't train Tenzin in the art of Fire, because oddly enough, this Avatar was unable to call upon it. Because of this, their training had mainly revolved around the enhancing ability to use the Avatar State. Roku believed that the answer to this error lies in the restrictive nature the Avatar State had granted. If he could teach Tenzin how to willingly tap into its full power, then perhaps they could begin re-solidify this other half that remained out of balance. Of course, this was only but a theory.
Tenzins right eye had flickered violently as he struggled to maintain his connection to this Avatar State they continued to preach of. Beads of sweat poured from his forehead, and his muscles clenched as he forced himself to keep the connection. This went on for a few seconds before the flickering light in his right eye had reverted back into its normal color, and the young prince had fallen on his behind, repeatedly huffing as he tried to regain control of his breathing.
"I - I can't." He spoke between his breaths. "I just can't!"
Roku remained silent as he eyed the exhausted and kneeling Avatar. Pacing himself towards the boy, he stopped in front of him before extending his hand - gesturing for Tenzin to take it so that he may rise. As Tenzin eyed the palm that was presented to him, he lightly snarled before standing himself - unwilling to accept its grasp.
Roku blinked and slowly retracted his hand. The answer had become clear to him now. "You neglect focus, and your confidence has been thinned... you're uncertain - but why?"
"Uncertain?" He sarcastically chuckled. "Clearly you're mistaken."
"No, I'm sure of it." His hands rested behind his back as he carelessly paced himself around the living Avatar. "You're confused - disoriented - reluctant." He stopped, his back facing Tenzin. "You're scared."
"What are you trying to say?" He began to grow agitated. "You believe me to be some burden, like my father? Don't riddle me this nonsense. You called me here because you needed to train me to fight this corrupted Avatar! Or am I just wasting my time?"
Roku's eyes clicked, he finally understood. "I see, your desire to protect what you have, had manifested into fear. This power that I'm training you in. Its purpose - destined to remain in the light, you've felt it before... haven't you?"
"I - I don't know." He hesitated. "I don't know what you want me to feel... what I'm supposed to feel! Whenever I try to tap into this source, I'm filled with so much dread. I see, I hear, and I feel distraught emotions that aren't mine to begin with."
Intrigued by this knowledge, Roku pressed on the topic. "When did these - visions - start?"
Taking a few seconds to think, he thought back to when it first started. "It was weeks before the downfall of the Fire Nation. My sister and I had been subjected to a disturbing vision of bloodshed and anguished cries. At least, that's what it felt like. I didn't put too much thought into it after coming to terms with my shared destiny as this worlds Avatar. Or at least, I shouldn't have."
The other two Avatars who remained silent nearby approached once hearing of their conversation.
"What do you mean?" Kyoshi asked, her eyebrows furrowing with curiosity
"I mean there's something else out there. Something that connects me to it all." His eyes glanced to Kyoshi, then Yangchen before returning towards Roku's. "Something... familiar - yet, foreign at the same time. Like I should've known of this connection since the day of my birth. It calls to me, but I can't seem to answer it." He paused momentarily. "And, I believe my sister may have known of this long before I have."
"What makes you say so?"
"Unlike myself, she's always had them. Dreams - Visions - Nightmares... call them what you wish, but it's always been there. I thought she was delusional at first, but now I can see why she acted such a way. Every night before she slept, she always joined me in bed because of how scared she was in returning to such an utterly confusing realm. I wished I believed her sooner, so that I could be able to reconcile certain segments of our kinship rather than brushing it forward."
Yangchen rested her palm against Tenzins shoulder. "The visions you have now, what does it show?"
Taking a few moments, he tried to make sense of it all. Of what he has been witnessing.
"I see pain... death... and suffering. The world is in a constant blaze, and shackles could be heard across the globe."
"It is the future you see." Roku answered.
"Future?"
"Yes, the future. A future where one of the many outcomes of our struggle could end up becoming. Our world will plunder into chaos if things continue as they are now. As for your visions, perhaps it is trying showing you what must be done."
"And that is?"
Closing his eyes, he declared. "To kill Avatar Aang, once and for all."
"Once and for all?" He repeated. "Wait, are you saying he's died already?"
"Yes, he has. He's cheated death for far too long, and it is time he finally embraced it."
The young Avatar agreed with what his predecessor declared, but their was one thing that he didn't quite understand. Something that left him confused.
"If you guys want him dead so much, why don't you kill him yourselves. It's three against one. Taking those numbers into consideration, you could easily wipe him off the face of the earth."
"It's not that easy, young one." Kyoshi began. "Especially when it comes from the afterlife. When you die, you aren't as powerful as you once were alive. Your purpose - fulfilled and passed on to the next. As a living being, you are a vessel that holds this large amount of power that could decimate any terrain if properly trained. As a spirit, you sacrifice that vessel in order to remain intact with the rest of the world, your new destiny now would be to guide the future Avatars in a long and unending struggle. We may be able to somewhat use our powers to an extent, but even then it pales in comparison to what we could do when alive. Another big reason as to why we aren't able to do so - as you may know, Avatar Aang has claimed all but four remaining essence of the Avatars from previous timelines. With that amount of power under his fingertips, he's practically unstoppable. Only Avatar Wan had the capability of pushing himself to such a high degree without a living vessel. We are unsure as to why it is like that, for he did not want to specify. His powers could somewhat keep up with Aang, but like the rest of us, even he has his limits."
"I don't get it. If he was going to end up this dangerous, why didn't you off him before he had the chance? Why wait so long to where he would become unstoppable?"
The three remained silent - gazing upon one another from time to time wondering when it all went wrong. It happened too fast for any of them to completely remember. It was just another ordinary day - a day where the likeliness of war hadn't been a thing for thousands of years in the spirit realm. There had been rumors of Avatars disappearing, and the feeling of dread when having felt another one of them being taken had washed down their core every time it happened. It had brought a sense of paranoia among them as they wondered why something so monstrous was happening. A group of them had set out in search for the cause of such anguish that was felt within them, leaving many to await their return back at their sacred temple of the afterlife.
Roku was the one to answer, his eyes having been filled with sadness. "Kyoshi and Yangchen wasn't their to witness the fall of our temple. Because the both of them had set out in search of the root of such anguish." His voice had grown solemn and depressed. "I still count the days when it all started... when the creeping nature of war had just landed upon the footsteps of our home without our knowing."
.
.
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Aang's Perspective, 13 Years Earlier
An ominous dark yellow had reflected off the terrain in a busy sector in the spirit realm. One would consider such a place to be a city full of life, but with life consisting of spirits who have passed onto to this realm from the previous. In the center of it all, a majestic and awe-looking building had proudly stood. Statues of all Avatars, from the first to ever exist, to the last who ever died - stood identically across from one another for what seemed to be miles on each end. Between it all, a lone and empty pathway that contained nothing but a sole hooded individual who paced up the long steps towards the temple.
This was the place all Avatars had remained after their life had expired, a place where there wisdom and experience could become of importance for the next heir to claim their title. A place where even their legacy would soon face its inevitable path of extinction. Just ahead, three Avatars who had been taking a stroll had noticed the approaching figure. They looked at one another confusingly before approaching. It wasn't often to have outsiders come visit them, and it was unlikely for them to even come near the temple.
"Our time has come, for nearly ten thousand years he's prepared! He grew stronger, and his ambition made me discover! While you rested within your cradle of illusions - believing this worthless legacy would bring safety and security to us all."
Stopping in front of the three, Aang watched under his hood as one of them twitched his lips to speak. Not a second later, he shot his metal hand forward impaling one of them through the torso before blasting another with a strong burst of wind against one of the statues, pinning him there with his immense concentration of wind. The Avatar who remained unharmed was caught off guard by how quickly and efficiently this man took care of two of its companions. His mind reacted, but his body was too slow as his limbs were entrapped with a layer of metal material that refused to listen to his command to release him. As the material spread across his body, eating away at his skin bit by bit, the last thing he saw were the demonic eyes of their attacker before his vision was halted by the material covering his eyeballs.
Aang walked passed the horrified statue of the Avatar, his hand still pinning the last who couldn't budge from the wall he kept her on. Pulling his fingers towards him, the spiritual Avatar had felt a terrible pain wash over her. Moments later, her body crumble into nothingness before being sucked into the man who attacked them. A few moments passed, and Aang entered the large, opened doorways that led into the temple. By now, more and more Avatars had began to appear out of every corner eyeing him with immense caution. They felt three of their own perish just moments earlier. This had triggered a chain reaction from all within the temple to gather and investigate as to why such hostility was brought upon them.
"You were trusted to pave the path for future generations - unifying and enlightening our morals into a single mind... but you were deceived..."
Dozens of Avatars had landed around Aang, surrounding him on all sides. Some of them had tapped into the Avatar State, while others remained skeptical of his hostility. One of them stood just inches before him in a heated manner. He came to realize soon after that this man was Avatar Kuruk, one of the only Avatars who spoke to him during his time of vulnerability. Kuruk inched ever closer to the man, just daring him to make a move. He was outmatched, and far outmanned. There was no way this intruder could take all of them on, right?
"As clarity through the reality of our nature has guided me, I come to realize that this falsehood of preservation has had nothing but a blinding and crippling effect to our true sense of morals."
An unusual sound had began to ring in their ears. It confused them, and Kuruk found himself glancing over Aangs head wondering as to what that sound was. What they saw shocked them. A flying metal contraption of what looked to be like a falling ship had headed straight towards them. This caused many of them to back away to put some distance between the falling ship. It crashed through the doors, destroying the engravings around it while crumbling the earth it skidded under. The friction from below caused it to slow over time until coming to a sudden stop just a few yards behind Aang. Silence reigned over them all, their curiosity holding their tongue. A hiss from ship had been heard signaling the start of a hatch beginning to open.
"As generations of our kind continue to mold this world into a transparent fantasy, you assumed no force could be able to challenge you! And now..."
The hatch opened, and a glowing corrupted shade of red had brightened from within. Its color had faded slightly, now split into dozens of the same identical color as the clinking sound of metal feet was heard. They were shaped oddly similar to humans, yet its form felt more alienated and mutated. These machines with their own unique way in thinking, but more importantly - killing.
"Finally..." He grasped and lowered his hood, his eyes changing into their corrupted glow as he glared at them all. "I have returned!"
All hell broke loose. As the two opposing sides began to charge at one another, more of those ships crashed through the ceiling and landed in various sectors across the temple. All of them releasing hundreds of those mechanisms that was after a harvest. Both sides clashed, the fighting could be seen scattered across the temple. In the gardens, on the balconies, in the halls - everywhere. Aang twisted over a wave of fire, kicking one of the Avatars that charged at him in the face before lifting the one that attacked him earlier with a gust of wind before throwing him across the room like a rag doll. Explosions went off simultaneously elsewhere when the man made impact, and Aang shot his hands forward releasing a streak of lightning that impaled through a few others that weren't paying attention.
Elsewhere, Kuruk had been maneuvering around these abnormally large ones efficiently as he was killing them. His eyes had since tapped into the power of the Avatar - heightening his senses in every possible way. He shifted his feet forward, launching a handful of machines in the air before blasting them with a wave of fire. He watched as many of them shatter upon impact with the force he exerted as their metal corpses burn. His attention turned to Aang who had also been offing them quickly. With rage seeping through his veins for those who had perished, he charged ahead.
Aang had molded his right hand into a sharp enough object to be considered a sword. Evading the attacks around him proficiently, he sliced and diced those who got to close to before they had a chance to recover. Each Avatar that perished had their essence instantly engulfed to enhance his own strength. His pupils traveled behind him when sensing danger quickly approach. Swinging his metal hand at his opponent who charged directly at him, his weapon was stopped by a thick enough layer of rock that Kuruk had engulfed his hand in. The two glared at each other, baring their teeth as their anger spiked.
Kuruk was the first to act. Pushing his body weight forward, his attempt in trying to gain the advantage in close combat had proven to be faulty as he found himself immediately going on the defensive. Aang pressed on, the sharpness of his blade shaving Kuruk's layer of rock bit by bit. His steps traveled backwards as they violently swung against each other. Kuruks defense had been shattered moments later as he was forced to lean his body back after nearly having his neck sliced. A small mistake made on his end.
Seeing a small opening, Aang twisted his body before kicking Kuruk in the gut. Kuruk flew back, but managed to twist his body to land on his feet dragging the destroyed pavement below him. His senses heightened, and he immediately refocused on two machines that tried to get the jump on him from both side. Picking up a metal pole that he landed near, he tripped the one on his right before flipping over the back of the one on his left, smashing the metal rod against its face as he came up. He sprung his body flat in the air after seeing incoming discs of earth soaring directly towards him - narrowly grazing his torso. His eyes landed once more onto Aang knowing all to well who was responsible for the attack. Still soaring over the Earth Discs, he was unable to defend himself against a burst of wind Aang shot forward from his left hand.
The force caused him to speed through the air once more, crashing through a fallen boulder from above as shattered remnants scattered across the ground around him. The entrance of the temple was before them, and still the battle within raged on. Shaking his head lightly, the enraged roar falling from above caused Kuruk to roll out of the way as Aang drove his right hand through the spot he once was. Aang turned his head angrily, his eyes locking onto Kuruk who sprung to his feet with the weapon he obtained earlier and once more charged. Their attacks were swift, just as their precision. But only one would remain the victor of this fight, while the other would meet their inevitable demise. Kuruk unleashed two quick strikes to Aangs head, the speed caught the corrupted Avatar off guard as he was forced to redirect a hasty block to the second strike. The angle that he was put in allowed Kuruk to elbow Aang across the face causing him to stumble back.
This was it, the killing blow! He swung the pole across Aangs abdomen hoping to slice into his skin so that his guts would spill onto the floor. Aang leaned back just a smidge causing him to narrowly miss his swipe. Channeling the momentum that was built from the first swing, he redirected his weapon into a thrusting motion as his body twisted to direct the final strike. What he did not expect, was that Aang had the same idea as he rotated his body around his attack, thrusting his sharpened hand forward impaling his own abdomen. Kuruk felt his breathing caught in his throat as the two stared directly into each others eyes. While one was full of anger and satisfaction, the other was full of disbelief and horror.
"You were deceived." Aang finally spoke. "And now, everything you've strived to accomplish - shall fall!"
Pulling his blade out, he stepped to the side allowing Kuruk to fall to his knees. The defeated Avatar gazed upon the setting sun that was being concealed by the rise smoke from the burning remnants of the city. It was too being invaded like the temple was. He fell flat on his face soon after, once more embracing the discomfort of death as his essence was collected by Aang. While explosions and fire continue to light ablaze around them, Aang took another look at the many Avatars who were quickly being overrun by the monsters that never seemed to have an end. He turned away, departing the temple knowing that his job would be finished by these robotic minions Vaatu had been producing for thousands of years.
As the statues of previous Avatars burned around him, he lifted his hood that remained idle behind his neck - once more concealing his face from all who would see him. This war had just begun, just as nature had intended. A struggle to keep their rule away would be met. But even then, despite this initial and critical attack that began this nightmarish instinct known as war - he absolutely knew that this one was already over by the time it started.
If he had stayed to finish cleaning up the mess, he would've noticed a tired and battered Roku hiding in a shadowed corner as he watched Aang leave. His shock overwhelming his sense of rationality.
Present Time
"With that one savage strike, he left us licking our wounds that would never heal." Roku sighed.
Yangchen and Kyoshi didn't utter a word. This was the first time Roku had spoken of that attack. Whenever they tried to bring up the subject before, he would shoot the subject down faster than he had destroyed Sozins throne room. Finally hearing this haunting battle that took place had saddened them. They weren't there to protect their home, and a sense of guilt had built long ago in regret because of it. Though Roku had always mentioned that it wasn't their fault, that they could've never known such a strike would commence, it still didn't do much to ease the guilt.
"Roku..." Yangchen gazed in sadness. "I'm so sorry."
"That was long ago, Yangchen. You have nothing to be sorry about. Kuruk knew of the danger just as any other person, your presence may not have made a difference in his or many others deaths."
Before any of them could utter another word, a bright light caused the three to flinch. Raising their hands to partially shield their face, their eyes turned to Tenzin who once more pushed himself to maintain connection into the Avatar State. His teeth gritted together, and his eyes flickered rapidly as a whitish glow blazed around his figure.
"I know..." He choked. "What I have to do!"
The three continued to watch him struggle. They could feel his power rising rapidly within seconds, and it was beyond anything they could have ever imagined. Streaks of lightning had appeared around him every few seconds as if it were static, and his once flickering right eye had finally solidified. His arms shot to either side of him, a streak of blue lightning firing out of his fingertips. The energy died down, yet his link remained connected.
"Lightning?" Roku blinked.
When Tenzins eyes had gazed into his own, the sharpness that was behind him had sent shivers down his spine. A smile found itself stretching across Roku's lips as a new list of lessons had grown in his thoughts.
"Well, I guess there's something I'm able to personally teach you after all."
"The Southern Air Temple? Why are you going all the way out there?"
"There's something that needs to be addressed, Mai. It's more complicated than it seems. So trust me when I say this, but it's a long story that I don't have time to fully explain."
"Well, I'd say it's a good thing I like stories."
"Mai!" He groaned
A wave of disappointment washed over her. "I just can't believe you're doing something like this after what's happened, Zuko. Don't you understand the position we're currently in?"
"I do! But..." He hesitated. "This is bigger than that."
"Bigger than taking care of your people?"
"I am!" He retorted. "And I will, right now more indirect than direct... but this is much more critical."
Silence grew, and Mai found herself chuckling at his words.
"Regardless of how long we've known each other, I just can't seem to understand you." A light sigh escaped her lips. "Okay, I'll try to understand. But I'm going with you." Her declaration caught him off guard.
"No, Mai. Don't, I-"
Her threatening glare managed to halt the next words from escaping his throat. She was coming. regardless if he approved or not. There was no debate about it. He inwardly sighed before nodding.
"Okay, we will be leaving later on in the day after I've situated a steady and continuous plan for our nations recovery under my absence."
Mai lightly smiled, she was glad that Zuko had agreed to such endeavors from her. She was about to turn and make her departure, but halted in her tracks when hearing something off.
"Wait... we?"
Yes, we. Because now, only hours nearing into sunset, Mai stood alongside Toph and another woman she hadn't quite known the name of as of yet. Regardless, the woman was young quite young.
"Hi, my name's Pema." She greeted with a warming smile.
Blinking softly, Mai responded with a light nod before turning her attention back to Zuko. He was conversing with Chief Hakoda along with Sokka and Ty Lee. The three of them had apparently come to see them off - bidding them luck on their journey. Mai thought someone like Sokka would've tagged along for this ride, however she noticed that he hasn't been in the best mindset lately. Knowledge about returning to the Southern Air Temple had not spiked any interest in the Water Tribe Warrior in anyway. He had chosen to stay, his focus to achieve the impossible remained his forethought among all else. Because of this, Ty Lee had chosen to stay back in hopes of furthering her reconnection with Sokka. Their reunion had started out bitter - but in time, hopefully the two would be able to rebuild the friendship they once had. No, the friendship they still had. Ty Lee only had a desire to be something more; and it was that something, that continued to torment her dignity - believing herself to be selfish for these desires.
Ty Lee had spoken to Mai for the past minute, her tone sounding soft and uncertain. "Are you sure you have to go?"
"Someone has to look out for the hothead." She muttered. "Besides, we both know that even he has his limits. I feel as if he'll need moral support sometime in the near future..." Glancing behind her, she eyed the matured Water Tribe Warrior that conversed with Toph. "and Sokka? Do you still wish to reconnect with him?"
Ty Lee glanced back at the man, a saddened smile embracing her face. "I don't know, after our last encounter he's made it pretty clear that I was not welcome for quite sometime. I'm honestly not too sure what I should do as of yet."
Feeling a pair of hands resting against her shoulder, her attention refocused onto Mai.
"You'll be alright." She smiled "This world isn't big enough to keep both of you apart. If you two are destined to be together - that time will come. By then, you'll know what to do."
Her eyes sparkled with hope. "A-Are you sure?"
Mai's smile only widened. "I'm positive."
With Toph and Sokka, the two conversed solemnly with one another. Despite the catastrophes that they had recently went through - one that could lead down a rocky path to maintain healthy relations, the two had never had that issue between them. Their goals and desires may be separate, but their understanding kept them whole.
"This could be beneficial to you, Sokka."
"The only thing that will benefit me right now is to sharpen my dexterity in more ways than one. I truly appreciate your offer - but, I just can't see him as you do anymore."
She knew all to well of who he spoke of. "I understand, he's brought an unbearable amount of pain that you would forever have to live with. But please, if there's even an ounce of good in him... just try reconcile. We've all experienced our demons, perhaps it's time that we help him address his own."
Sokka opened his mouth to speak, but with troubling thoughts - he closed them. A soft and frustrated sigh escaping his lips just before he turned away. His eyes landed on Ty Lee's just as her pupils landed on his own. He watched as she quickly averted her gaze, a look of discomfort and sadness washing over her. Perhaps he was too harsh, he would have to make it up her - soon hopefully.
"My Lord!" One of the soldiers approached and addressed Zuko with a respectful bow. "The Airship and its crew are ready for you to board."
"I see, thank you." Zuko nodded back, bidding the soldier to take his leave.
Hakoda hummed before crossing his arms. He and Zuko had been speaking for a short time now, and the Fire Lord had requested that he ensure the final arriving ships and refugees transition smoothly into this establishment
"It seems that destiny is calling you elsewhere."
Zuko chuckled. "Not destiny, but my sworn duty. I promised myself that I would keep my people safe and alive, and I am unable to do that as I am now. I know where I must go, I just hope the answers I seek will be there when I arrive."
"I see." Hakoda smiled lightly. "Well, good luck on your journey - and I'm sorry about how I lashed out the other day. I truly hope this terror that threatens your cultures existence ends soon."
"Thank you, Hakoda - and don't worry about it. I trust you more than enough to allow you the responsibility to oversee the Fire Nations transition into this growing city. Do as you see fit, it will all be under my name."
With that said, Zuko had turned and headed towards the airship. His eyes had landed upon those who would accompany him - giving them a nod that it was now time to go. Mai had followed immediately behind Zuko, shortly followed by Pema, and finally Toph. As they walked up the ramp of the Airship, Mai stopped just through the entrance of the ship allowing Pema and Toph to pass her. She looked back at the three who gazed at their departure. Her eyes landed upon Ty Lee, the sadness in her eyes when seeing her departure had pained her emotionally.
Not wanting to reflect these emotions back at her, Mai gave a heartwarming and loving smile in response while also giving her a thumbs up. A rare and uncommon expression, especially for someone of her status. Ty Lee saw this, and decided to do the same as well. The hatch lifted slowly, and after a few more seconds, the rising of the ships metal frame came in between them - ceasing all possibility of visualization. Releasing a soft sigh, Mai knew that it would be some time until the two would see each other again. Their bond has since mutated past the normal boundaries of friendship - having been pushed into the zone of kinship long before this day. Their journey through this passage known as life had kept them united for twenty to nearly thirty years - and still counting. This would be the first in a long time where they had been physically apart for more than a few days, and it was already taking its toll. Relaxing their state of mind from this mental torture, they instead focused towards the day where the two would reunite.
Unknowingly to them both, this may have just been their last...
A few days had passed since their departure. Back in the United Republic, the assimilation between the Fire Nation continued as mentioned. Despite the tragic downfall of the Fire Nation happening nearly three weeks ago, more and more people continue to pour into this new territory. With Chief Hakoda attending to the more political and diplomatic segment as a Fire Lord, it has left little time for him to give guidance in enforcing new laws that would protect and keep this establishment afloat. Because of this, Sokka had been appointed as his enforcer; and that is exactly what he's been doing.
Time has progressed until the yellow shade of a setting sun had glowed upon them. Sokka could be seen pacing down the hallway in a small and luxurious building that Fire Lord Zuko had moved into. His personal guards could be seen in nearly every corner, guarding all sectors every single second of the day. Turning down the hall, he approached two guards that stood in front of a door - unmoving. Their bearing was almost impenetrable as their dedication. Nearing the two, Sokka had slowed his paced as he realized something odd.
"You two." He addressed. "You've been standing in front of this door longer than anyone, do you not migrate with others guards?"
"No, sir." One of them respectfully responded. Despite Sokka not being of Fire Nation lineage, they knew that he was still appointed over them. With that being said, their respect towards him equaled the amount of what they showed their Fire Lord.
"We were personally ordered by Fire Lord Zuko to stand guard wherever the maiden rests. We've been doing this for years now. The last two who we replaced were sometime over five years ago. The only time we're able to migrate is with each other whenever the need for sleep or other basic necessities calls."
Raising an eyebrow, he admired the two for their dedication. He most certainly would've gone crazy if put up for the task. "Thatt must be tiring. Both of you, go retire for the night. You two most definitely earned it."
"But-"
"This place is as secured as it gets. I promise you two that you do not need to stand post in front of this door. For now, rest your minds and you may resume tomorrow by sunrise."
The two looked at each other. They were still skeptical, but they knew that this was an order that had to be followed.
"Y-Yes. Thank you sir." They left shortly after.
Sokka watched the two as they rounded the corner, disappearing from eye sight. He waited a few more seconds to ensure that they wouldn't be coming back before releasing a sigh, a mutter escaped lips.
"Zuko, you're gonna drive some of these people mad with these absurd rotations."
Looking at the door once more, his thoughts went back to what the guard had informed.
"A maiden huh?" He thought. "It seems like he's attempting to date again."
Knocking on the door a few times, he waited for an answer. His curiosity had gotten the best of him, and he had an urge to introduce himself. After a few seconds of idleness, he pressed his ear onto the frame of the door trying to uncover any sound of activity. Silence had been this maidens sole response.
"Is she sleeping?" Glancing out the window, he could still see the suns reflection over the horizon. "It's still so early."
Glancing back at the door, his interest had overwhelmed his sense of morals, causing him to place his hand on the door knob. With a slow and gentle twiist, he waited for the click to vibrate through his palms, signifying that it has now been open. He then slowly pressed through as the sound of a continuously beeping heart monitor greeted his ears The lights were on, and before him laid the figure of an idle woman who remained asleep. She was hooked onto a tube that ran nutrients and liquid into her system. Blinking his hesitation away, Sokka stepped forward to get a better look at this person. Coming near the side of the bedframe, his feet suddenly glued itself to the floor as this person began to look more and more familiar. His steps became slower, his breath became ragged, and his eyes widened further with each step. Now standing directly on her left, he could only watch in silence - his hands growing shaky each second he watched.
"K - Katara?"
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End of Chapter 19!
Took me nearly a month, but I finally got their. How did this chapter appeal to you all, I haven't received much - or even any feedback the chapter prior so I'm thinking I did alright. It has been a long journey up to now, and honestly I can not say for sure if this small story will soon come to and end. Maybe it will around 30 chapters, or maybe it wont. Anyways, real quick - here is the age break down on our characters so you wont be confused from here on out.
Aang - 30
Toph - 30
Sokka -34
Ty Lee - 32
Mai - 33
Zuko - 34
Tenzin - 17
Kya - 17
Pema - 17
Katara - 32
Azula - 33
Hakoda/Ozai/Long Feng - In their 50's and up.
And that's all I can recall about their age. Anyways, as per usual, leave me any questions comments or concerns and I'll get back with you either in the next chaoter, or a direct PM. Thank you all so much for your support, and I'll see you all later.
Ciao
~TheLivingMyth