29Zuko reaches the camp with an armful of fruit. Laying them gently on the ground; he and Katara begin setting up the tents that they found on Nagitka.
"I wonder how Azula and Uncle are" Katara says, breaking the silence.
"I'm sure they're fine. How do you feel? I mean, now that you have your bending back" he says as he pitches the first tent
"I feel amazing. Except for the headache but, if that's what it takes, I'm glad to give." She rummages around for the tent cover. "Shit" she mutters
"What is it?" Zuko asks, walking over to her
"The cover has a hole in it and we don't have any repair supplies" she says, sticking her hand through the hole for emphasis
"Looks like we'll have to share" she sighs before turning around again. Zuko's face reddens at the idea of sleeping in the same tent as her.
"Guess so" he chokes. She finishes up the tent and Zuko cuts up the mangoes with his dagger.
"You got dinner? Great I love mangoes but, you already knew that" she smiles as she bites into one.
"How could I forget? You ate those things every day for a week once."
"I was craving them, shut up." She mumbles, then goes quiet.
"Katara wha-" I follow her line of sight and I land on the book just peeking out of her bag. "It can wait until morning let's eat and get some sleep"
"I can't wait any longer Zuko" she sighs, picking up the book "I need answers"
"At least let's get into the tent. We don't know how long we'll be out of it." She nods and they enter the small tent.
"After all this time, I'm still nervous" she chuckles
"You're not alone" Zuko sighs.
"Here goes nothing" Katara says determinedly. She opens the book with gentle hands.
Nothing happens
"Well that's anticlimactic" he mumbles
"But, it's not blank anymore. They look like directions"
Katara PoV:
(With her Daemons)
No that's Pakhet's chapter! Flip a few pages! The girl nods and flips the pages.
Khanna's is next right?
Guys, what? She asks mentally when she opens to a page with a beautiful woman who's skin is gray. She had a mass of curly black hair and bright red eyes.
That's Khanna, one of the Daemons in Zuko's mind. This book will show you how to find her body.
Find her body?
Before Acionna takes a century explaining; a long time ago, back when we ran the world, there was peace and prosperity. Then, one day, a powerful spirit took over, exhuming monsters from the spirit world that should have never seen the light of day. His name was Vaatu and he was the epitome of pure evil. While the Daemons fought the monsters he came for us, one by one, harvesting our souls and putting them into this book and hiding our bodies from us. Since then the world has fallen into chaos. People say that the Avatar has brought peace but, he doesn't know peace. The only way for the world to truly be balance is if we come back.
Oh and I would have taken a century?
You said his name was Vaatu? Where is he now?
He is being imprisoned by his counterpart, Raava but, she is growing weaker each year. The only reason she was able to capture him in the first place was because of Wan, the first Avatar. She became one with him and their combined power was phenomenal.
You just think Wan was a hottie.
I did not! I swear Taranis why must you-
Guys?
Yes, sorry…
So you're saying the only way to bring peace is for us to restore your bodies?
Yes but, you can't just take a soul out of the book and put it back into their body, the other Daemons aren't strong enough for that…and there might be a few evil beasts guarding the bodies
And only two Daemons are allowed into one body and then they are bonded to you…
We have to find a host for all of the Daemons? Wait, evil beasts?
Eventually…
Katara takes a deep breath and looks at Zuko with a worried look. He nods. It seems he was having the same conversation with his Daemons.
We'll do it.
Really, that's excellent!
But, I have one question.
Uh-oh
Is there a Daemon possessing Aang? Is that why he-?
No, my dear, due to Raava's presence in him, it is impossible for another being to reside in him.
So he's being himself? Nothing was making him?
I'm afraid not Katara.
Oh
Third Person PoV:
Katara leaves her trance with a troubled look.
"So we're actually doing this?" Zuko sighs
"It's better than running away with no purpose. At least now we might do something to help the world."
"I guess you're right"
"Let's eat before the mangoes get gross"
The pair eats their fill while they read Khanna's chapter.
"Crescent Island? Haven't we been there before?" Katara asks
"Yeah, Roku's temple, or what's left of it, is there" Zuko nods
"But the southernmost point on it is circled. So it's new territory for us." She flips the page and a riddle stands out. She reads it aloud.
To find me you must not look deep.
Go high then slightly below where the living cannot breathe.
I am hidden is a thick place but, I am easily seen.
Beware the one you must fear.
His bones will meet the floor with a sickening click.
If the sound is at your back, I am sorry but, there is no hope for you.
For the Wendigo is a truly horrifying fate.
"The fuck is a Wendigo?" Zuko asks
"I don't know but, it sounds so familiar" She quiet for a few moments before letting out a growl "The Daemons can't tell us anything."
"I always hated riddles" he chuckles
"If she's hidden where the living cannot breathe then how are we going to get to her?"
"What if you make us and air bubble like when you attacked from the water?" Zuko asks
"That might work" Katara rubs her head and winces.
"You okay?"
"Yea, it's just this damn headache"
"Let's get to bed now." He takes the book out of her hands and places it next to them.
"Goodnight Zuko"
"Sleep tight Katara"