Hey. Thanks for giving this fic a chance. This fic will focus on Lu Ten and my own little fanwank on what happened to him. It was assumed that he had died, although it wasn't expressly stated how. In this fic, he didn't die but disappeared into another place. It will have a lot of OC's but it also have a lot of cameos from minor characters.
Also, this fic will deal a lot about spirituality and east-west contrast. A lot of the original characters featured here are inspired by the Roman empire and Greek culture. Where, the Avatar world mostly deals with Buddhism and Hindu inspired mysticism, like chakra's and reincarnations, in contrast, Lu Ten finds himself among people who hold to the Neo-Platonic, Hermetic and Gnostic matrixes of Western esoteric tradition.
For those of you who are a bit unfamiliar about Western esoteric tradition, it concerns the mystery cults, initiation rituals (later stolen by Christianity - baptism and Eucharists) and general Oneiromantic mystical systems which had been the Western world's birth right had Orthodox Christianity not wiped them out.
Oh and almost forgot. Disclaimer: Avatar and Lu Ten belongs to Nickelodeon-Viacom, and those weeaboos, Mike and Bryan
Reviews will be great.
So without further delay, I present The Lost Son...
Chapter 1 First Contact
His last memories were that of the siege of Ba Sing Se. The forward assault team – all wearing heavy armor and expert fire benders – had managed to put massive breach into the outer walls. That had been one of the most exciting times of his military life. After all, he was given his first command, nearly 300 men were under his command, and the breach into Ba Sing Se's walls will prove to be his most decisive action to date.
Although his father, general Iroh, advised him not to wait for the main vanguard, youthful yearning for glory would drive him ahead of the main assault. He had committed his men to glory.
A terrible mistake.
The Earth Benders were prepared and they easily annihilated the first wave of his men. He ordered a retreat but they had managed to block the breach they made with rocks. His men fought boldly even as they were cut to the last.
After a few minutes of futile resistance his 300 man army was reduced to seven himself included. He and the remnants were about to annihilated when a blinding light appeared in the battlefield swallowing everyone in a massive explosion of light.
Light. Blinding light and then nothing. He was sure that he was dead, and yet he knew that he was not. He felt like he was floating, dreaming, waiting to be awakened.
The sun shone brightly, oppressive in its intensity. It was a hell of a wake up call. He tried to open his eyes but he still could not see who it was who was talking. He was in a desert. At least, it felt like a desert.
[Is he alive?] A voice, manly and gruff asked in an alien language that Lu Ten could not understand.
[I think he is.] Little bastard.
[Be quite fool!] His companion answered.
[I say we kill him and take the coat.] Should be worth a few silver coins
[Aulis, stop being a bloody idiot and get the sergeant.]
[Why do I have to do it?]
[Just do it!]
Lu Ten felt himself being dragged by heavy hands to some shade, where he felt more people surrounding him. Cool water touched his lips and he drank them greedily. In the distance, he could hear an imperious voice issuing orders back and forth in an alien language, but before he could get a good look at him, he passed out once again.
Lu Ten slept once more. He did know how long he slept only that he slept. It felt like weeks, perhaps it had only been hours but he slept. Little did he know than when he awakens, his world will be changed forever.
As Lu Ten slept, two men watched him. Both wore military uniforms – furnished breast plates, bracers, purple cloaks and greaves. One of the men was taller, well built and with penetrating grey eyes that looked at men with contempt. The other one was smaller, younger – probably no older than Lu Ten. And although officious, was also less choleric in his bearings. Both wore short swords on their belts and moved in a way that said that they were casual killers.
They were in a tent. A large one, and comfortable. There were many maps, casks of wine, weapons, bandages, etc… Lu Ten slept on the floor on clean and comfortable bedding.
How did they find him, Avinis? The smaller one asked the taller one. It was a silky voice, rife with the tonalities of aristocracy, but it was spoken in an impish and playful manner that would have reminded Lu Ten of his father if he could understand the words.
Right where you said he would be my lord. A bunch of the boys found him. Gave them extra rations of wine as you ordered. As ever, your abilities at prescience astounds me. The taller one answered with candor.
Spare me your praises, Colonel. I know your opinions about Oneiromancy. Tell me, does he speak the Reme tongue?
I was hoping you would know, my lord.
Well, we shall know soon enough.
Lu Ten was agitated by the talk that he could not understand, and before he can say anything else, he was splashed with water. He stood up, spitting out water from his mouth, panicking and willing to defend himself.
The two military men looked at him with amusement. They clearly didn't belong to any of the four nations and they looked very… foreign, very unlike the foreigners he had met in his lifetime, and he had met many. They were taller than he was and their skin was olive, although the sun made it even darker than most.
The taller one kept a stoic face while the shorter one smiled down at him in a calm manner. And he was right the smaller one was about his age but also was taller than he was. He also had aquiline features and a penetrating gaze that made Lu Ten scared and awed at the same time.
"Who are you?" Lu Ten demanded.
They looked at each other and exchanged words briefly. They looked at him again, waiting for him to make his move. Lu Ten obliged them. He stood up from the sleeping mat where he slept and tried to at least be princely. That is until he found out that he was nude.
Lu Ten hurriedly tried to cover himself, as the two men laughed. The tall one threw him a foreign looking tunic which he wrapped around himself hurriedly.
"Who are you?" Lu Ten snapped. "And what do you want from me? What am I doing here? Are you Earth kingdom soldiers? Mercenaries?"
The two men spoke hurriedly with each other and the smaller one pointed at himself. "Ventinis. Ventinis." Then pointed at his companion. "Boor."
The taller one growled and correctly said his name, by pointing to himself. "Avinus."
"Lu Ten." Lu Ten pointed at himself.
"Lu Ten." The two repeated and put their hands to their chests in what appeared to be a salute.
"Ventinis," Lu Ten at the shorter, smiling one and then pointed at the bigger one, "Avinis."
Avinis nodded, pleased.
"Boor," Lu Ten added to please the one called Ventinis. Ventinis laughed and motioned Avinis to fetch something. The tall one left grumbling to himself.
Ventinis motioned Lu Ten to sit down and rest. His body as it turns out had been broken in several places, but his rescuers, odd as they are, were able to save him.
"I am Lu Ten. Son of Iroh. Grandson of Azulon. Prince of the Fire nation. Commander of the 7th Fire Horse regiment," Lu Ten announced proudly even as he sat down unceremoniously, "not that you could understand anything I say."
Ventinis smiled and repeated, "Lu Ten," nodding his head in amusement, "Lu Ten."
A few minutes passed and Avinis returned with a girl who looked nothing like them. She was brown skinned and did not look like she came from any of the four nations either. Ventinis pointed at her pleasantly and then at his mouth.
Lu Ten shook his head. He didn't want that! No! No!
The foreigners chuckled and the one known as Ventinis laughed and he made a speaking motion with his hands. Lu Ten nodded his head in understanding.
The girl spoke first in halting and heavily accented Fire Nation language. "Greetings sir. I am Shiya. I am here to translate on behalf of my masters."
Ventinis blinked his surprise. He wanted to ask so many questions but he kept his mouth shut and focused on the here and now.
"Thank you Shiya. I have many questions." Lu Ten responded awkwardly.
"They will have to wait, sir. You see, my master has a very pressing question to ask of you."
Strange. But since they saved his life, he thought it best to be patient. "Okay, ask then."
Shiya spoke with Ventinis rapidly. When they stopped talking Shiya turned to Lu Ten and said this, "My lord, Ventinis wishes to know if a scarred man with very god like powers has attacked any villages near your kingdom?"
"No, what are you talking about?"
"Do you anyone by the name of Gallis?"
"No, what is this about?"
Shiya turned to Ventinis and spoke rapidly. The three of them talked quickly and Ventinis became even more disturbed.
"What is this about?" Lu Ten demanded.
"I am sorry sir, but my lords have requested that you rest. You are still clearly tired."
"Yes, Shiya. I am tired but I also want answers and I want to know who they are and what they want with me."
Ventinis spoke rapidly and Shiya nodded her head in obedience.
"My master is Prince Ventinis has ordered me to introduce him formally to you. He is Prince Ventinis of the house of Teriaris, a cousin of the Pantokratos Belaris II, son of General Vernis, Commanding officer of the whole army outside this tent. A loyal citizen of the Reme empire. Colonel Avinis, you already know."
"Well, I'm glad I'm in the presence of another royalty," Lu Ten said sarcastically. "What does he want with me?"
"He has rescued you because he wants your help in finding a criminal. You will help him find one of the most dangerous beings in existence."
"What? I don't even know him. Why does he want that from me?"
Avinis barked a few questions and Shiya eagerly answered him. Avinis signaled her to answer him.
"Please, no more questions. You must rest."
"I will not rest until I know what you want from me." He jabbed his finger at Ventinis who smiled at him causally. Ventinis spoke in his strange language.
"He said that you will help him find the fugitive, Gallis…"
"I know you said that, but I won't I have other concerns and other worries…"
"Prince Ventinis says…" Shiya began.
"I know you're translating for him. Just spit it out!" Lu Ten said testily, angry at him being put in a precarious position.
"He says that he saw you in a vision. He will help you and you will help him."
"A vision?" Lu Ten snickered. "Is that why I'm here? Because you had a vision?"
"Pleroma," Ventinis answered.
"Pleroma," Lu Ten repeated. "Very well. I appreciate your rescue and all but my men need me. My father needs me. I have to go." Lu Ten tried to get out of the tent but Avinis blocked his way.
"Don't," Lu Ten warned. Avinis and Shiya began talking hurriedly.
"Please, Lu Ten. Don't do this. These people helped you. You owe it to them to at least comply with their wishes."
"Let's get something straight," he stared at the two men. "You kidnapped me. You knocked me unconscious and now you want me to help you? I will not be a hostage."
When Avinis tried to push him back down, Lu Ten countered with a swift kick, but the large man was able to block it in time. Ventinis laughed while Shiya fled to the edge of the tent. Avinis and Lu Ten fought each other with fists and kicks, until Lu Ten seized upon the chance to draw out Avinis' short sword, but the big man was faster and tackled him down, the two of them rolling out the tent. Lu Ten was losing and so he used the only weapon he had left – fire bending.
It was a good thing Avinis wore armor otherwise, he would have been burned. The giant rolled away from Lu Ten, trying to stamp out the flamed on his purple cape. Holding Avinis's short sword, Lu Ten took his chance to escape but before he could have run at least a few yards from the tent, he was knocked forward. Ventinis had moved so rapidly that he had managed to disarm Lu Ten before he could react. In another split second, Ventinis had managed to throw Lu Ten on his back.
Soldiers, all wearing battle gear similar to Ventinis, gathered to surround Lu Ten but Ventinis waved them away. Lu Ten stood up and threw fire at Ventinis but the foreigner swatted away the flames as if they didn't matter.
Lu Ten's eyes widened in fear. What sort of creature is this?
"What are you?"
"Ventinis," he answered and before long, Lu Ten was knocked unconscious once more.
Shiya ran to Lu Ten and explained the situation to him. "Prince Lu Ten. You are no longer in the lands of the four nations You are nowhere near home. Please, these men are only trying to help you. You must not antagonize them."
Lu Ten looked at Ventilis and in a single glance knew this to be true.
"Where am I?"
"I don't know," Shiya answered.