Korra Alone, part 2
Korra had no idea what time it was. She had been sitting cross-legged on the floor of the sailboat all night. She just sat, staring blankly out into the darkness of night; her mind was filled with thoughts. The thoughts came and came and wouldn't stop. I'm tired, I'm low, I'm sick, I'm alone, I'm dead... inside. She was so lost; she barely noticed that the sun had risen.
She could see a dock in the distance. Korra decided to pull her boat up and take a break. She came to her feet and instantly felt a sharp, tingling pain shooting up both legs, so she decided to take another few moments. She sat on the edge of the dock, her legs dangled over the side. Korra could feel anger fill her as she scanned her image in the water. It was like she didn't recognize herself anymore.
Korra's hair was pulled back into the tradition style of water-tribe girls. She spent the last 3 years back home in the South Pole, but, she wasn't that girl anymore. She had lived away from home, in Republic City with her master Tenzin, building her identity as the Avatar. But, now who was she? Who was she if she couldn't be the Avatar? Korra's face contorted, brooding in anger. She turned and grabbed a knife from her bag. She savagely ripped out the clips that held her hair in place and bundled all her loose hair in one hand. In one clean slice, Korra cut through the thick bundle. She gripped the loose bundle tightly as she felt the cool air flow against her now bare neck and shoulders. With all the force of her anger, she flung the loose hair into the water, and stayed fixed as she watched it float away. When she was sure it was gone, she stood and grabbed her bag, shoved in her knife, and began to walk.
Korra walked for days it seemed. She found herself walking across the icy tundra of the South Pole. The wind kicked the snow up into flurries. Korra pulled the collar of her coat up around her neck as she pushed on through the snow. Her body felt so weak, it had probably been several days since she had slept. But, she knew where she was headed. With each labored step, Korra felt her mind, scattered and flighty. She felt as though she could hardly contain all the thoughts, and her head was spinning.
Korra recalled over and over the events of the previous night. She'd almost made it to Republic City, after so many years. But, something happened. Thinking about it was still making Korra chest tightened, the outline of the city at twilight, the memories, and the doubts, and a strange, ominous figure with glowing white eyes. Korra banished the thoughts from her mind with anger. How could she be so afraid? She had defeated so many foes, more than any other Avatar and at such a young age. Korra thought herself to be a dedicated, powerful bender and she was on her way to being one the greatest Avatars ever...that is, until Zaheer.
The memories from that day were branded into her mind as if with a hot iron. She could still feel each moment as Zaheer kept her tied up, trapped, and helpless. The poison he pumped into her body burned her from the inside out. Korra had never felt such pain and terror, faced with the reality of her own torture and death. The memories haunted her, and she could feel it in her tired, aching body. More than anything did Korra just want to feel peace, peace from the pain in her body and from the thoughts that plagued her mind. She had an idea of where she needed to be, where she might feel some relief, and in the distance she could see it. A ray light shot from the ground and straight up through the clouds. It was the portal the spirit world, Korra was headed for the Tree of Time.
Korra hastened her steps as she approached it. Her heart felt a tingle of hope at its sight. Korra recalled the time her master Tenzin encouraged her to meditate under the Tree of Time. She remembered how she was able to focus her mind and body to summon unbelievable power, transforming her into a pure spirit energy being. With it, she defeated Unalaq, the dark Avatar spirit. Maybe she could find that same focus again.
Korra allowed her backpack to drop from her shoulder as she plotted down to her knees. Once again, under the Tree of Time, she crawled herself into a sitting position and crossed her legs into the Lotus Meditation posture, resting her hands in her lap. She closed her eyes and slowed her breath to a steady, regular pattern. Korra could hear her master Tenzin's voice in her head, guiding her to focus on her breath. She could feel the warm air exited her nostrils with each exhale. Tenzin's voice was calming and soothing, directing her to go to a peaceful place.
Korra felt a sense of warmth come over her as she imagined Republic City. Korra could feel her heart swell. Immediately, her thoughts jumped to her good friend, Asami. She remembered how it felt when she would sometimes lay at Korra's bed side before she fell asleep. Asami radiated warmth and kindness; it was therapeutic and healing. Korra's aching body longed to feel Asami next to her so badly. It amazed her how it consumed her mind. Korra hadn't felt such warmth since parting with Asami. Korra's heart became heavy. She couldn't believe how much she missed Asami and how long it had been. She missed Asami's strength, and her resolve. Korra had come to looked up to Asami, and after her last tragic encounter as the Avatar, Asami became the only person who gave Korra any hope that things could return to normal. Korra took a deep breath, returning her mind to her breath.
Korra had come to the Tree of Time to see if she could connect with Raava, the Avatar life-force spirit. She thought if she could just focus her mind, perhaps she could feel Raava's energy again. She wanted so badly for things to return to how they were. She wanted to return to her duties as Avatar, to bring balance to the chaos in Republic City, and to the entire Earth Kingdom. But, how could she? She was weak, tired, and lame. It was because of Zaheer. He did this to her. He took away everything. Korra heart began to beat harder as it filled with anger. In a flash, she remembered Zaheer bending the liquid poison into her skin. Korra suddenly felt as though she were being suffocated. And then came another flash, it was the same excruciating pain she felt, shooting across her body. Korra's body stiffened and her eyes flew open.
"This isn't working," Korra felt helpless to rest her mind. She was frustrated and disappointed. Day and night, night and day, she couldn't stop the thoughts, and the pain. She wanted peace; she wanted to feel normal again. But, she felt no Raava energy here. And, if not here, where could she go to find any relief from the thoughts that plagued her mind. Korra unfolded her legs, and came to her feet. "I have to figure this out..." She threw her backpack over her shoulder and began to walk, away the Tree of Time, her mind still so very cluttered and so very lost.
Korra lost count of how many times she watched the sun rise and set. She walked through snow, for miles and miles, then across dessert dunes, flat lands, and rock. Finally, she found herself wandering through a small Earth Kingdom town she didn't recognize. The sun was low in the sky and cast strange shows on the clay walls of the homes, taverns, and shops. Korra felt jumpy, her heart would race as she caught glimpses of shadows out the corner of her eye. But, there was nothing. Korra knew the fatigue was getting to her. She hung her head low, trying her best to not make eye contact with anyone on the street. She was hoping that no one would recognize her as the Avatar.
What was that? Korra spun around as she could sense something run behind her. But, again, she saw nothing. Was her mind playing tricks? She, again, continued on, her head low and her mind racing with doubt. She stopped short as she came to a flight of stairs. She scanned the stairs with her eyes, about to take her first step, and then... she saw it. Korra gasped. It stood on the landing, staring down at Korra with white, piercing eyes. It was that thing she saw in Republic City, that dark, ominous figure that had sent Korra into a panic. Korra's gaze was fixed, her mouth agape in shock. She examined the figure up and down. It looked familiar. Korra could see clearly now. Those were her clothes. That was her body. That was her hair and those were her eyes, eyes that glowed white with the Avatar spirit. Was it her reflection? She nervously ran her fingers through her now cropped hair to remind her; it wasn't her… it was what she used to be. Korra's fear turned to rage.
"This ends now!" Korra charged up the stairs. The figure turned and ran, so Korra gave chase. Korra ran down streets and through alleys, losing and regaining the dark figure's image. There! She was determined to catch up; she had to know what it all meant. She ran and ran until she thought her lunges would burst. Korra suddenly became aware that she was running through water, over vines and branches; the air was thick and moist. She jumped and dodged, still giving chase, when a vine caught her foot and tripped her up. Korra fell hard onto her knees, splashing water around her. She was soaked, and defeated. She slowly came to feet, thinking she had lost this race, but when she looked up, there it was. It was Korra's own image, staring back at her. But, how? She stared dumbfounded, watching. Was it a spirit disguised as Korra? Was it just a figment of Korra's imagination?
Korra watch as the dark figure came to life, swinging its arms, building the tension in the air, creating fire. The figure swung its arms forward, shooting a massive ball of fire at Korra. Korra flinched, throwing up her arms to protect herself, but it hit her body hard, sending her flying. Korra rolled as she hit the ground, banging and bruising her already tired body. Korra crawled to her hands and knees, watching the figure approach. With her last bit of energy, Korra's hand cut through water, creating a jet stream that shot with great force toward the figure of Korra's own image. But, the figure spun around, dodged the water, and shot more fire at Korra in one swift motion. The fire hit Korra like an explosion, hurling her backwards. Her body, flying limp through the air, hit a tree, knocking the air from her body. Korra landed on her feet, gasping and struggled to keep her balance. It was all she could do as she watched the figure staring back at her. Korra felt her knees buckle as everything turned white. She felt her body hit the ground as everything faded from white to black...