Prologue
My name is Akoda. I live in a small village a few miles off of my homeland, the Eastern Water Tribe. I am a small boy, but my father tells me that I was born to do great things. I don't understand what he means by that, but maybe someday I will...
It has been twelve years since the passing of Avatar Aang. I have heard many stories through passing Airbenders how he single-handedly defeated the Firelord. My father does not believe such stories. He believes that my great-grandfather, Sokka, was the one who lead to the downfall of the tyrant. He argues relentlessly with the Airbenders over this story, and for that, they never see eye to eye.
Still, it affects the village greater and greater. There are fewer traders passing through this land now, because they do not want to hear the babblings of my father. We are losing our market resources now, and eventually, we will have to make the journey to our sister tribe in the West. We were exiled from our homeland in the East. Every person in the village has some wrong deed that they have done, and now they are banished with us. I believe that they were followers of my father, and they were cast out with him for believing the stories of my great-grandfather.
My father does not believe it would be wise for me to venture back to the Tribe, because of their hatred for him. He told me that I have done nothing wrong, and that I am still allowed in the village, but I cannot leave him here by himself with no other family to watch over him. Still, I was very little when we first left the Tribe, and I wonder if they are flourishing or are they starting to lose their edge like we are.
I still look to Avatar Aang for guidance in my time of need. My father says that he once met Avatar Aang, and that he was a man of great honor. Sometimes, I wish he were still here so he could help my Tribe come closer together. After all, everyone knows that he brought the four nations together. Even if he didn't defeat the Firelord on his own, he stil was a great Avatar, and I think my tribe overlooks that from time to time. If only they could get over their differences, we could help our Tribe flourish.
As the other Four Nations look to the Water Tribes for the next Avatar, we anxiously search for him. I have even helped search for him, but we have come to no prevail. Some of us are even starting to believe that the Avatar Spirits have left the land now that they are no longer needed. I pray that it is not true, for they are needed now more than ever. By helping us, they may not save the world, but they will save a tribe in desperate need of them...