So here we are at last. Book 2. I am very proud of this chapter and I think it sets up the rest of the book perfectly. Enjoy.

Avatar: The Legend of Anzen Hyriu

Book 2:

The Shadow of Darkness

Chapter 1:

Departure

I looked down at my things; everything was packed. I sat on my bed, delaying the inevitable - my departure. After consulting Wei, Arnook, and Sonam over a series of days, we all came upon a decision: I would never be prepared for the Robed Man by just practicing and training. I had to experience something real. The Siege of the North showed that I could take care of myself. Also, the Avatar had left the North to master earth bending, and he was forming a team. I thought that I should form a team of my own. I would leave the Water Tribe with Lamara and Koluk, and we would go and ask Shan and Moji, my earth and fire bending friends respectively, to accompany us. All four nations in one group. My plan was to travel through the Earth Kingdom, keeping tabs on the Avatar while I continued my training. We would also search for signs of the Coming Darkness and when that might be. And, if we should happen to come across the Fire Nation, well, then I'd get some hands-on experience.

I had asked Koluk and Lamara if they would accompany me. They said yes of course. Wei formally told Koluk's family the situation and plan, and, after a day of considering it, they agreed. Since Sonam was Lamara's guardian we just needed his approval. He gave it. I had my reasons for picking them. I choose Koluk because he fought in the siege, and he handled it very well, and because I knew he would never let me go with out him. I choose Lamara because I knew we needed an air bender. I hadn't fully mastered air bending yet, and she knew how Sonam taught. Plus, we had been friends for years and I trusted her. I couldn't bear to ask the others to uproot their lives because it would be too hard to take them from their families also, and it would be nearly impossible to explain. The cover story for Koluk and me was that Arnook and the Royal Court recognized our battle skills and declared us Heroes of the North. We were going to be taken to the capital to receive excessive training and even be sent on missions into the Earth Kingdom. The Water Tribe was going to be taking a more active stance in the war with the Fire Nation. We were going to be a part of it by visiting Fire Nation occupied villages and taking them back for the Earth Kingdom. It was a great cover story, and I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't real. The air benders knew why Lamara was leaving and most of the people in Hydronia wouldn't really notice her disappearance anyway.

A big celebration was being held for us at the Grand Hall. I was somewhat nervous but glad also. This was the closest that everyone would come to seeing the real me.

I walked in the bathroom and looked in the reflection ice. I wasn't the same person that I was on the day of my water bending test. That day was when everything began to change. I had gotten taller since then, and my hair had gotten longer. Any baby fat that had been left on my face was now gone. I looked leaner and more muscular. I could definitely see the results of all my training.

I went and got my bag. It had most of my supplies. I was wearing a set of deep blue robes, like my eyes. I had my quiver and sword strapped on. I went to see if Hiko was awake. His room was empty, so I went down stairs. He was eating some squid noodles for breakfast with Wei.

"Ah, Hyriu, I hope you are ready," Wei said.

"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess," I said and set my bag down. "Ugh, this weighs a ton."

"I highly doubt it," Wei smiled.

I got some noodles and began eating. There was a knock at the door. Wei started to get up.

"I'll get it," I said, and he sat back down.

I walked over to the curtain-door and pulled it back. A fresh breeze blew in. It was a nice breeze since it was beginning to be spring, and it was warming up. Though it really wasn't all that much warmer in the spring than it was in the winter.

"Hey." It was Koluk. "Uh, you guys ready?"

"Uh, just about. We're finishing up breakfast," I said as he walked in.

"Finishing up?" Wei said. "Sorry, Koluk, Hyriu seems fond of hyperbole today. He just started eating."

Koluk laughed as I sat down and began eating.

"So um, what happens after the celebration?" Koluk inquired.

"Well, we will escort you to the land-raft and begin the route to the capital. Once we get behind Heiwa Valley on the route, we will stop, and you and Koluk will fly to the air temple and pick up Lamara as well as say your final goodbyes. Then, we will go to the capital, and you'll have another celebration there. Chief Arnook will send you on a mission to the Earth Kingdom. Said mission will 'go wrong': hence why you do not return for however long it may be. However, I suggest if you get the chance, you should return after a few months. We can only say for so long that you are alive, but if we don't hear from you in, say, six months, you could be pronounced dead," Wei told us. "And that would not be desirable.

I couldn't think of being away from home for one month, let alone six.

"Well, if you two are ready," Wei stood up, "we'll be going.

"Alright," I said, getting my bowl and going over to the dish bin and washing it.

"Hyriu, I'll get that later," Wei said.

"The least I could do is wash my dishes for the last time," I said and surprisingly got choked-up.

"Alright, fine, if you want," he said.

I finished the last of the dishes. "Oh wait, I think I left something in my room," I said, but I really just wanted to look at it before I left.

"Be quick," Wei said, seeing right through my cover.

I went up stairs and into my room. I walked over to my nightstand and picked up the sacred golden jar Wei had given me for my birthday. I opened it, then put the lid back on and set it down. I looked at the paintings I had hanging. First was the one with my parents and a baby Hiko, when I was four. Next was the painting Wei had done on my fourteenth birthday. The second to last painting was of Hana and me on our date. The final painting was done yesterday. It was my group of friends: Koluk, Lina, Lamara, Fai, Tekton, Hana, and me in the middle. I took one last look around my room then went down stairs with watery eyes.

"I'm ready," I said, looking around the house trying to absorb every last detail.

We walked out and through the city to the Grand Hall. Everyone who saw us walking gave a smile and a nod. When we arrived at the Hall, the Royal Court was already there. People were rushing around getting everything ready. The Hall was refurbished with new banners and fresh, elegant torches. New animal pelts and even a rug were laid on the newly polished, pale blue, stone floor. The banners on the walls were new. They had Hydronia's symbol, a full moon with two spears making an 'X' and a vertical sword at the center. They also displayed pictures of waves and ice. They were, in fact, very beautiful; then I saw two banners hanging over the stage. I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Really? Overkill much, don't you think?" I muttered.

Koluk and Wei saw them as well.

"Whoa," Koluk said.

Wei laughed. "Well, I like them."

One banner depicted Koluk, the other, me. We were both in fighting stances with a determined look on our faces. We walked up to the stage where Arnook was. He was muttering to himself. I hadn't seen him since my final warning vision, two weeks ago. When we got closer, I realized he was practicing his speech. I thought it was interesting and amusing that he rehearsed his speeches beforehand.

"Please welcome the, fantastic heroes? No, that won't do…Grand Heroes. No, no…Wonderful Heroes. No not that one either…um, oh, Brave Heroes! Yes, that'll work, brave heroes," Arnook was saying as we walked up. When he saw us, he cleared his throat, looking a little embarrassed, "Oh, uh hello, Hyriu, Koluk, and Master Wei. Good to see you again."

"Hello, Chief. Good to see you as well, and can I just say, these banners are spectacular," Wei said with exaggerated interest and a wide smile; I was the embarrassed one now.

"Oh yes, I contacted the Air Nomad weavers last week. They've done a fantastic job," Arnook said, gleaming at the banners.

"Indeed they have. I love how they got Hyriu's eyes just right," noted Wei with a large smile at me.

I felt my face turn bright red.

"I know, the likeness of each of the boys was captured fantastically," Arnook said. "I'm going to leave them hanging up even after they leave."

"Oh, great! Isn't that fantastic, Hyriu?" Wei said, happily enjoying this far too much.

"It's wonderful," I said sarcastically.

Arnook walked us through how everything was going to happen. The banners of Koluk and me were rolled up, so they could drop down when signaled. Koluk and I went back stage. Koluk would come out of the left; I would come out the right. People began filling the Hall excitedly. I saw my friends in the front.

The Royal and Hydronia Courts took seats at the back of the stage. Arnook stood up and faced the crowd as he began speaking.

"As you all know, a few weeks ago, the Fire Nation dared to attack us. They sent the entire armada to the capital. Some scouts reported the coming threat to Hydronia. Hydronia's finest then prepared to leave. However, unbeknownst to them, two young men devised a plan to stowaway on the land-raft and, therefore, ride to the capital. Once discovered, we did not have the time to return them to their home. They were given the task of evacuating the women and children to safety. One even risked his life for a little girl's doll, as well as helping out the healers during the night. When the Fire Nation broke through to the city, they both disobeyed direct orders to stay back and charged into battle. They fought even when we told them not to. And when a friend fell in battle, he was helped to the healers by one of them. The other fought side by side with Master Wei, saving his life countless times while also taking on a Fire Nation Sergeant and Commander at the same time. When the moon turned red, they continued to fight. When one of them fell to injury, the other guarded his fallen friend with his life. He even took down multiple fire benders with no weapons of his own. They risked their lives for each other, for friends, for family, and for our nation. Please welcome the Brave Heroes of the North!"

The crowd cheered. The banners fell, which lead to more cheering, and we walked out on stage.

Once they quieted down, Arnook continued, "They disobeyed orders from friends and family to protect friends and family. Though some might call them rebellious or unruly, their actions were purely honorable. Because of that, I have offered them each special combat training in the capital; they both accepted. So today, they will depart from Hydronia and receive the best training I have to offer. Then, they will be sent on missions to the Earth Kingdom. Not in heavy combat, small skirmishes to begin with, and they will work their way up from there. The Northern Water Tribe will no longer just sit back and let the war come to us, as we have done so far. Now, we will take an active stance in the war. We will help rebuild the northern regions, just as Master Pakku will help rebuild our sister tribe in the south. Hyriu and Koluk will truly be Heroes of the North!"

The crowd cheered like crazy. I could see my other friends as well as my usual gang, like Huan and Kanshin, my teachers, and the parents of my friends; all of them beaming with pride. All except one; Taruk was glaring at me. 'Not this again,' I thought. One of Taruk's friends, Kobun, nudged him. Taruk looked at him. Kobun shook his head; Taruk nodded and they began to leave.

At Arnook's request, a path was made in the crowd. He escorted us through the crowd, through the city, and to the land-raft; we climbed on. We smiled and waved at the crowd as we began to move. We picked up speed and turned into the mountains. We past through the mountains and turned toward the back of Heiwa Valley to avoid the dangerous ice. The raft came to a stop.

"Well, Hyriu, we will wait here while you two say goodbye," Arnook said.

I made an ice raft and jumped on it, as did Koluk. I water bended us to the back end of the valley. We were close to where Daminao lived, behind the Greenwall. A group of people were there waiting for us. The group was made up of our friends, the temple monks, and our families. Koluk embraced his parents when we got to them. I hugged Hiko.

"Take care, little brother," I said.

"Please don't be gone for too long," Hiko said, already crying.

"I won't, Hiko, I promise." I smiled at him.

Master Sonam bowed to me.

"It was an honor to teach you. I hope Lamara will be able to help you master air bending," he said.

I bowed back. "It was an honor to learn from you Master. Goodbye."

Monk Dadao, Monk Yami Monk Seng, Monk Meiso, and Monk Sahil, which were all of the temple monks, bowed to me

Monk Dadao spoke, "Safe travels Hyriu, Koluk, and Lamara. May the spirits watch over and protect you and may you inflict mischief in the lives of those who oppose you."

"Thank you, Monk Dadao, and may the spirits watch over you as well." I bowed back.

I looked over at Daminao. We hugged. He hugged Lamara as well and shook hands with Koluk.

"See you later, Daminao," I said.

"See you later. Put my sword skills to use. Take care Koluk, and Lamara, stay safe," Daminao said.

Ava stood next to Daminao.

"I know we didn't get to know each other very well, but perhaps we can in the future. Goodbye," I said to her and shook her hand.

"Yes, perhaps in the future. Goodbye," she said.

Koluk said goodbye to his parents. Hana took me aside.

"Hey, can we talk?" She said.

"Sure," I said, a bit confused.

"So, you're going to be gone for a few months… traveling the world… meeting people-" she started.

"Yeah," I said awkwardly.

"I mean, just a lot can happen while you're out there," she said nervously.

"I think I know where you're going with this," I said. "You want to break up."

"Not that I want to. It's just, a lot can happen in a few months. I mean, we happened in a few months. If we are away from each other, and we meet people, it would just make things a lot less complicated if we weren't together," she said, looking at me.

"I understand," I said. "And if I come back and neither of us has met anyone, then we can go from there," I said.

"If you come back? You have to come back, Hyriu," she said.

"Right, yeah, I meant when I come back," I said.

She hugged me. "You're darn right you meant 'when,'" she said as she pulled back with teary eyes, and I laughed.

Koluk was talking to Lina and Fai, so I walked over to Tekton.

"So, you think you'll be able to handle Taruk without me?" I asked him.

"Think?" He said, making a show of cracking his knuckles.

We laughed, then stood there awkwardly.

"I won't have anyone to talk to on our ridge," he said, looking away, his voice full of emotion.

"We can talk there when I come back," I said reassuringly.

"Alright, just make sure you do come back," he said, looking back at me.

"I will, I promise. Keep an eye on Hiko for me," I said.

"I'll watch him," he said.

We hugged, and I went over to Lina and Fai while Koluk went to Tekton.

"I won't have anyone to teach me," Fai muttered.

"There is Tekton and Huan," I told him.

"Your friends," he said.

I looked him in the eyes and put my hand on his shoulder. "They are just as much your friends as they are mine. And besides, if you believe in yourself, you'll do just fine. And if Taruk messes with you, give him a demonstration of the 'Swing Kick'." He laughed.

I looked at Lina. "Stay strong-" I hugged her. "And if Taruk says anything to you, show him how good you are, and keep practicing."

"I will, Hyriu," she said with tears in her eyes.

I took a step back and realized there was no one left to say goodbye to. We all stood there awkwardly, not wanting to part. I realized since I was the rising leader of my friends, I had to make a decision.

"Well, I guess we should get going," I said and grabbed my glider and opened it.

Lamara did the same. She flew off, and I prepared to also. Koluk rode on the top of my glider while I held on to the bottom. I looked back one last time at my friends.

We got back to the rafts and headed toward the capital. I had a lump in my throat; I didn't speak to anyone because I knew I wouldn't be able to hold back all my built up emotion.

That night, a celebration was held by the Chief's Palace. Arnook said that he would send us on a small mission to be moderated. That way he could see your strengths and weaknesses in battle. The next day, our boat was preparing to leave. Wei and the Royal Court were there. Lamara was disguised as a Water Tribe boat girl, since most of the capital citizens didn't know about the Air Nomads in Hydronia.

A large crowd had gathered at the docks. I recognized a few people like Taruk's cousin, the little girl I had saved with her mother, and Hushi, the girl who had healed me.

"Farewell, you valiant heroes. May your victories come swift and many," Arnook said.

Then he walked up to us and shook our hands.

"Farewell, Koluk, keep your sword and your wits sharp. And always watch your back out there," Arnook said to him.

He came over to me and shook my hand, "Farewell, Hyriu. I hope to see your swift return. Stay safe and stay strong. And I must apologize; I didn't give you enough credit before. The shadow we saw during your third warning terrified me; I'm still having nightmares about it. The spirits choose well when they picked you."

"Thank you, Chief. I hope to be back soon," I replied.

He gave a nod at Lamara, "Safe travels and may your people's luck and wit be with you always."

She nodded back. I looked over at Wei; we embraced.

He pulled back, "You are growing up Hyriu. I can see it in your eyes. What has happened over the past few months has changed you. You have a serious expression most of the time and I see a shadow in your eyes. Don't only think about the bad things, think about the good," he said.

"Alright," I said smiling.

"Now, Hyriu, they will be looking to you to lead," he said.

"I know," I replied.

"Lead them well and ask the spirits for guidance if you need to," he said.

"I will," I said.

"And if you get into a battle, fight with your brain, not your sword," he said.

"I know, Wei," I smiled.

"We have given you the best training we could give. Please, use it well," he pleaded.

"I already have. I'll be fine Wei, really," I reassured.

"I know; I just can't help but worry," he said. He motioned to Koluk and Lamara, "Here, come over, I want to say some thing to all of you. On this journey, you will see some unspeakable things no doubt, horrible things. Things that you may never forget. Up here in the Northern Water Tribe, life is comfortable. We have it great up here. We are much better off than most of the world. Out there is a much darker and much more dangerous place. I want all of you to know what you are truly getting into. Even if - er - when you come back, you will not be the same. What ever you see and experience, will change you, and not necessarily for the better. You must prepare yourselves for this. Be ready to fight off the darkness, but not just the Robed Man, the darkness within yourselves as well. Look after each other well, for the longer you stay away from home and out there, the farther you may fall. So please don't stay gone for too long," he said, hugging me again.

"I'll try not too," I said, on the verge of tears.

We stepped back. I felt my eyes get teary; Wei's did also. I quickly boarded the boat and looked to the ocean. The ship began to leave, and the crowd cheered. I didn't look back because if I did, I knew I wouldn't be able to leave. The ship sailed for the Earth Kingdom and Mazushi Village. I kept my eyes fixed on the horizon as all my emotion burst out and tears streamed down my face.