In the shimmering Clock Towers of the Spirit World, Korra sat numbly in an armchair, Asami beside her in another. Kya sat across from her, allowing steam to rise from her mug. Asami knitted her brows.
"I'm sorry," Asami said, "but are you saying Vaatu did this?"
Kya nodded, "I'm certain."
"But I imprisoned him," Korra said, looking up at Kya, her eyes narrowed, "he's gone. I contained him. I got rid of Unalaq."
Kya smiled kindly in her wide face. Korra saw Katara for a moment and felt momentarily calmed.
"I understand it was difficult for you but I've lived in the Spirit World for a long time. Vaatu can never be truly shackled. His spirit continues to flow," Kya took the black teapot with the white lotus flower and poured as she spoke, "It may seem upsetting but chaos is a part of this world."
"Yeah, don't remind me," Korra answered, slouching in her chair.
Kya laughed a little and took a sip of the tea, "I must say, I didn't expect an Avatar to be so much like the rest of us. You remind me a little of my daughter."
Korra blushed, "Thanks. I guess I just thought things could be okay again. I wasn't looking for perfection-"
"But when you have to pick the same fights again, it feels a lot like going back to square one," Asami finished.
They looked at each other, sharing the same worried face. But their creased brows smoothed into tiny smiles.
"Fighting's a lot easier when you have someone by your side," Korra whispered, leaning over in her chair.
Asami took her hand and squeezed, "It's going to be okay. We're going to figure this out."
"I think I know a way," Kya said, "but it's a little difficult to talk about."
Korra felt a stirring inside her.
Kya stood and walked to the wide window.
"My father was a member of The Order of the White Lotus. I only know this by a box of papers he left after he died. It's a little hard to explain, but at the time, the Southern Water Tribe was afraid of the White Lotus."
"Afraid?" Korra scrunched her face, "But, why? They swore to protect the Avatar. They've always been about teaching wisdom and playing some sort of tile game Iroh keeps trying to push on me."
Kya met her eyes, "You are daughter of the Water Tribe. Sometimes what we feel can matter more than what is fact."
Korra sighed, "And I guess this was just before the Fire Nation came to your village. It must have been a scary time."
Kya nodded, "Katara and Sokka were little when my father died. They do not remember him. I wanted to tell them what I read in his papers, but it never seemed like the right time. And now I wish I had. It might have helped them when they met your previous incarnation."
"So what did it say in those papers?" Korra asked, straightening her back.
"He spoke of many things. Even made a pretty close guess about what happened to the Avatar. But, there was something else. A book. He wrote about an ancient book. It was called The Li Ahng."
"Whoa," Asami brought her cider down, "We're getting into some pretty deep waters here."
Korra crossed her arms, "Does anyone mind filling me in?"
"The Li Ahng has never been seen. It's supposed to be this collection of scrolls from one of the early Avatars," Asami answered, looking at Kya, "Are you saying your father knew about this? I'm sorry, but I just don't see how it's possible."
"The White Lotus has always held a special interest in the lost writings of Avatar Nahsu," Kya said, stepping closer to the fire, "And I believe my father was getting close. In his box of papers were letters to a hermit living in the deserts outside Ba Sing Se by the name of Yao."
"I'm sorry, this is all getting very confusing very fast," Korra said, standing up, "what does any of that have to do with what's going on?"
"The Li Ahng is concerned with darkness, Korra," Kya said, her face turning firm, "as well as light. Avatar Nahsu, according to a letter from Yao, sought to understand Vaatu and his power. It could be a good place to start."
Korra rolled her eyes, "Yes. Of course. I'll just busy myself searching for a book that doesn't exist. I apologize, but I think I need to get home and think about this."
Kya bowed, "I sincerely hope you do. It was a pleasure to meet you again as a grown woman, Avatar Korra," she bowed once more, "Please, you are always free to visit."
Naga howled raggedly at the sight of Korra as she emerged from the Clock Tower. She smiled weakly and clutched his fur. Asami touched her on the back.
"We're a team on this, no matter what happens," Asami said, almost like a question, "Right?"
Korra leaned over and kissed her on the mouth.
"Yeah. But this retreat is starting to melt me. Let's get back. There's someone I need to infuriate."
"You did what?" Tenzin boomed.
Meelo scratched behind his head, "Um, well, you see, Ikki-"
"Nuh-uh!" Ikki popped her head into the cloister of the Air Temple, "haven't you learned that one doesn't work?"
"Ikki, this is a private matter," Tenzin scolded, "And you're supposed to be running training."
Ikki rolled her eyes and popped back out. Tenzin returned his attention to his nervous and lanky son. Meelo chuckled nervously.
"Did I tell you that I like what you're doing with your hair these days?" Meelo attempted.
Tenzin stared down, hard and stiff as a statue. He twitched his graying beard.
"If you think you'll be receiving your tattoos by the end of this summer, young man, you will have to-"
"What?" Meelo furrowed his dark brow, "This is an outrage! It's all Jinora's fault Rohan fell and everybody knows it!"
"Excuse me?" Jinora responded, standing beside Tenzin in the same icy pose, "but I was right here meditating."
Meelo crossed his arms, "A convenient alibi I see."
"I have heard enough!" Tenzin snapped. He raised his arm, slender finger pointing out, "Until your younger brother is of age to begin training, you are not allowed to play games with him or experiment on him like some sort of mouserat. Now, go."
Meelo turned, his face sour.
"I just think he's not bending because no one's showing him the ropes," Meelo muttered.
Tenzin bristled and stepped forward. But Jinora reached out a hand and stopped him.
"Let him go. He's just upset because some of the other boys have been teasing him," Jinora answered calmly.
"Teasing him?" Tenzin turned, surprised, "About what?"
Jinora looked away. She knew, she could sense it in her father. In many ways, they were very similar. He was clutching a heavy and guarded sense of unease.
"Rohan just needs time," Tenzin said quietly, "just give him time."
Jinora sighed. But her thoughts were interrupted by a feeling. She looked up.
"Korra's here," Jinora said.
"Korra!" Meelo and Ikki whooped in the distance.
"Jinora," Tenzin frowned, "How did you kn-"
"Come on," Jinora said, walking forward, "Let's go."
That evening, in Tenzin and Pema's apartment, the oil candles burned low. Meelo and Ikki were sent to bed with Rohan. Jinora lingered at the table.
"Here," Pema said, offering a steaming cup of tea to Korra, "it's calming root from our garden."
"Thank you," Korra said, "and it means a lot to me to see you all again. I guess we've all been busy."
"Something is troubling you," Tenzin said, frowning.
"I don't know where to start," Korra said, looking down at her cup, "But Asami was attacked while we were in the Spirit World. Katara's mother was there and she saved us. But she said it was Vaatu that almost killed her."
"Vaatu?" Jinora cut in, lifting her head, "But I thought he was-"
"Yeah," Korra cut in, "Me, too."
Korra told them what had happened. How she had entered her Avatar state and the shadow blocking Asami's throat.
"I don't understand," Tenzin answered.
"I don't either," Korra said in a defeated tone, "I was really hoping not to return to that chapter of my life again."
"We all understand your reluctance," Tenzin responded, stroking his beard, "But, unfortunately, from what you're telling me, there may be a connection to what's been happening in Republic City."
"Oh, it's awful," Pema said, shaking her head, "Chief Beifong has been torn to shreds over it in the papers and on the radio."
"Dad, you think Vaatu is up to this?" Jinora asked, leaning over.
"Why, what's happening?" Korra asked. There it was again, she thought. That stirring within her.
"There have been a few unexplained murders across the city," Pema answered.
"A few have been, well, gruesome," Tenzin continued quietly, "but there has been no clear sign to any gang or organization. Victims range in age and rank and bending ability or lack of it. It's causing a lot of fear. People are afraid."
The words rang in Korra.
"Tenzin," Korra began in hesitation, "Have you heard of The Li Ahng?"
Tenzin's eyes widened, his mouth dropped briefly. He frowned.
"Where did you hear about this?" he spat.
"You mean the secret scrolls?" Jinora asked with fascination, "I've heard about them."
"Where did you hear about such things?" Tenzin snapped, his face glowing red, "They're a lie and a dangerous fantasy."
"But they were written by an Avatar!" Jinora yelled, standing up.
"This doesn't concern you, Jinora. You may go to your-"
"I am a master of this temple!" Jinora roared, stamping her foot. A puff of air shot from her foot and bumped the low table, causing the cups to spill. Hot tea splashed onto Korra's lap. She yelled.
"Do you see what you've done?" Tenzin fired, "sometimes I think I acted prematurely in giving you your tattoos, young lady!"
Jinora backed away, her mouth wide.
"Tenzin!" Pema shouted, "you know-"
Jinora turned and ran out of the room, sobbing.
"So," Korra said quietly after a moment, "probably a bad idea to bring it up."
"Pema," Tenzin said quietly, settling back down, "Go to Jinora. Tell her-"
"Nuh-uh," Pema said, furrowing her brow, "This is your mess."
Pema and Asami stood up and left the room. Tenzin breathed out.
"I'm sorry you had to see me that upset. It's just becoming more difficult."
"Tenzin," Korra said, reaching over, "you have to tell me what you know about these scrolls."
Tenzin turned to her and frowned.
"Nothing," he said, "I'm sorry, Korra, but I cannot help you. But you, you must help us. Republic City is in danger. And if what you're saying is true, then we will need someone who has faced Vaatu before."