Chapter 2: The reason behind it all
Kai stood on the balcony, silent in shock, as his parents continued. He couldn't seem to find the words to express his feelings.
"You see, Kai, we were notified that you were the Avatar when you were about five years old." My mother continued. "One day, the fire sages showed up. I was feeding Ailo and your father was out in the yard, playing with you. The sages looked concerned. So we all sat down: them, your father, and I. You and Ailo went into your room to play.
"The sages quickly broke the news to us that they had reason to believe that you would be the Avatar. At first, we were scared, but a little excited at the prospect that you had a bright future ahead of you. That it was your destiny to do extraordinary things for the world. But then the sages gave us the bad news. They said they sensed grave danger for the world, but couldn't exactly specify what it was, maybe it was classified by the Fire Nation. We still don't exactly know.
"They wanted to train you early on, so that you would be ready to face this unknown danger. We didn't know what to do, but the sages did give us the option: wait until you were much older—the riskier move, but the safest for you—or let them take you away and train you. We had no guarantee that we would see you again," Ying stopped, letting Ren continue the story.
"We chose to keep you. We wanted you to grow up like a normal kid, with friends and hobbies. We wanted you to choose your own path. We knew that one day we would have to tell you, since it is your destiny to become the Avatar."
Through all of this Kai remained silent. When they finished, he still didn't know what to say. "Kai?" Ren asked, waiting for my response.
"Umm….I…I don't know what to say," he stuttered. "I mean...thanks? I don't know if that is right or wrong to say."
"We understand that you're confused, and trust me, we don't really understand any of this either," Ying said, trying again to reassure him. "But we'll always be here for you. Always," Ren concurred.
"What do I do now? Where do I start? I have so many questions." Kai said, starting to panic a little.
"I think you need to continue life as normal for now. Start your classes, hang out with your friends, and enjoy your life. We can take this step by step, Kai."
"But how can I do that when I know I have something more important to focus on? I need to train, don't I? I need to learn the four elements as soon as I can."
Initially, his parents resisted. But Kai couldn't just let this slide. He don't know why they were so reluctant to let him make this decision.
"I'm old enough to choose how I live my life! I know that you are providing me with a college education, and are helping me in every way you can, but you have to let me do this!" he raised his voice, which he rarely did.
This time, they agreed to let him do what he wanted, whatever that would be. Kai eventually ended the call with them, and walked back into the common room. Wan and two of his roommates, who had been playing games this whole time, looked over at Kai as he entered. Without saying anything, he walked past them and left the dorm.
So Kai took a walk around campus. Going just south of Sato Hall, he made his way towards the "Central Park" of the school—a large field surrounded by buildings, such as lecture halls and other dormitories—and sat down on a bench after strolling around for a while.
As he closely watched some other students practice Earthbending, Kai wondered what it would be like to learn the bending art. He knew comparatively little about the Avatar—well, in his mind at least. He knew that the Avatar was declared by a group of sages who tested children by presenting them with specific objects. This was true in the Air Temples as well as in the Fire Nation, as far as Kai was concerned.
Kai then pondered what the sages told his parents. "They said they sensed grave danger for the world, but couldn't exactly specify what it was, maybe it was classified by the Fire Nation."
What great danger could there be? Kai thought to himself. We're living in the most peaceful time since before the 100 Year War. There couldn't possibly be something so dangerous that it threatened the existence of the Avatar. Not at least without some sort of hint as to the identity of this threat.
What confused Kai was how there was no denying the veracity of the sages. Yet, at the same time they couldn't seem to figure out what this danger is and why I needed to go with them so early on in my life.
Kai grabbed his head and shook it aggressively. He wanted to yell out of confusion. He was scared, and unsure about what to do. Of course, the safest thing would be to ignore all of this. This was a tempting option, Kai figured. However, the most logical option would be to go and master the four elements and try and stop this threat. After all, if I am the Avatar, this is my job. I have to step up.
Kai looked up, a dour expression etched on his face. But what if I fail? The Sages were worried, enough that they had to tell my parents years before they normally would have. Something is out there, what if I fail to stop it? Worse, what if I can't master the elements?
That didn't make sense either. The Avatar always manages to master the elements, right? They're built to do that. But I can barely learn firebending, my native bending style. If I can't do that my 19 years old, how can I possibly learn the other three before this threat appears?
He slammed his fists onto his legs out of anger. "DAMMIT!" he shouted, attracting some attention. He noticed that his hands felt warm—almost as discouraging. I can't even produce fire when I'm angry…isn't that normal for someone learning firebending? Accidentally creating flames from emotional outbursts? Kai then put his head in his palms.
Kai looked up after a minute, allowing his vision to readjust to the surrounding area. But I have to try, right? I have to give it a shot. After all, that's what I'm supposed to do. My parents probably want me to, even if they won't tell me. Wan wants me to, and he will tell me. The Sages want me to, and they tried already. I don't think I have a choice in this matter.
Standing up, Kai elected to go back to his dorm. He wanted Wan's input, despite the former's now-firm belief that only one option existed.
"Wait a second," Wan said, shaking his head lightly, "you're saying that you're the Avatar?"
Kai, sitting in a desk chair opposite Wan and Liang, who were both sitting on his bed, nodded. "Yep. That's what the Sages told my parents, who them told me."
"So….I was right!?" Wan exclaimed. "I was actually right!?"
Kai nodded again, with hesitation this time. "…yeah, you were right."
While Wan was trying to grasp this, Liang stepped in. "So what happens next? Do you learn the other elements now?"
Kai looked down, remembering his thoughts from earlier. "I'm supposed to, yeah. I guess the cycle, for me, goes like this: fire, air, water, then earth. That's the order I have to learn them in."
"So are we going to the Air Temples then?" Wan asked excitedly, causing Kai to stare at him quizzically.
"…we…?"
"Yeah! We're going with you, Kai," Wan said, turning to Liang.
Both Kai and Liang were silent for a moment. Not sure how to respond, Kai remained quiet, allowing Liang to speak first.
"I don't think I can, Wan," Liang replied, moving a strand of black hair behind her ear. "I can't just quit on my job like that. I also have classes that I can't give up. And…if I'm being really honest, I don't know any bending arts, so what role would I even play in this?"
"But we're his friends!" Wan exclaimed. "Avatar Aang's friends tagged along with him!"
"His friends weren't in school," Kai interjected, "also, he met them along the way. Besides, neither of you are coming along with me. This isn't your business."
Wan stared at Kai in a way that he'd never before. It was a level of seriousness that Kai didn't know Wan was capable of. He meant this.
"You're an earthbender, Wan. I don't know how you'd be helpful, honestly."
"You have to learn it! I could teach you!"
"You're a master of Earthbending?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow. When Wan didn't reply, he continued. "I also have to learn that last. So, even if you were a master, then who knows when I'd get to learn from you? I still have to learn airbending and waterbending, and those could take years to learn."
"Kai…" Wan said, "I want to help you."
"But you won't be able to!" Kai shouted back. "I have to do this a specific way! And you're not proving yourself to be useful!"
"Kai…" Liang said, sounding concerned.
Kai took a deep breath, calming himself. "Sorry, Wan. I'm just…so confused right now."
"I get it," Wan said sympathetically. "That's why I'm here. I know I won't be the most useful person to you, but you can't just do it alone. I know you know that."
He has a point, Kai thought to himself. He was stubborn—more than he cared to admit. Having a familiar face around could help him adjust to a new life in the Air Temples and beyond. He sighed. "Alright, I'd like for you to join me, Wan."
"The pleasure is all mine, Avatar Kai," Wan said, standing up and bowing to his friend.
"Please don't call me that," Kai said hesitantly. "I'm not a fully realized Avatar."
"Fully realized?" Liang asked.
"Yeah, a 'fully realized' Avatar is someone who has mastered all four elements. I am very much not that person yet."
"But you will be," Wan said, clasping Kai on the shoulder. "I know it."
Kai raised an eyebrow in mock concern, "you don't exactly have the best track record of being right."
"Hey! I was right about this! The thing that matters the most!" Wan exclaimed in defense.
Kai shook his head, smiling as he did so. "Anyway, I need to leave soon. For the Air Temples, I meant."
"I'll cancel my classes for this semester," Wan said. "We'll probably be gone for a while."
Kai nodded, thinking of all of the logistical things he had to do to prepare for this. There needed to be a total remake of his lifestyle. He also had to find a way to get to the Air Temples. That would probably be the hardest task to accomplish—his first one as the supposed Avatar.
However, he elected to put off those decisions until the following morning. It had been a long, exhausting day. The one day that would change his life forever.
Author's Note: Second chapter, acting as a set up for the rest of the "Book." Hope you enjoyed it. If you're wondering why the writing was so schizophrenic, that's on purpose. Kai has no idea what the hell is going on here.