2. Air
Mountains disappeared into the clouds as Wan rode up the range. They were stopped by a sheer cliff.
Wan dismounted and studied the water rapids far below. "Too steep at this point. We'll have to try somewhere else. Any preference?"
Mula meowed.
"Agreed, doesn't really matter. And if you consider the world is about to end, then it really doesn't matter. Let's try right, then."
Wan turned, loose gravel sending him sliding over the edge. He screamed.
When he was forced to inhale, he realized he had held on to a shrub. He tried using it to scramble over the edge, but succeeded only in shifting more gravel.
"Okay, okay, okay. Mula, I need you not to panic right now. I'm just going to stay here and… wait until my arms get tired and I plunge to my death."
Mula meowed mournfully.
"You're not from around here."
Wan almost lost his grip. "Mula?"
He looked up at a girl in her late teens.
"Oh, hi," said Wan. "It's been a while since I've talked to anyone besides Mula. I'd shake your hand, but…"
The girl disappeared from view.
"Wait," cried Wan, "don't leave me!"
"I was tying a rope," she replied, throwing it down.
"Oh, I knew that" said Wan, grabbing it until his knuckles went white.
They worked together to pull him over the edge.
Wan collapsed on the ground, arms shaking. "Sweet, sweet earth, I'm never leaving you again."
"I heard a scream," she said. "Thought a pig-rabbit was being attacked."
"I've been perfecting that call," said Wan, smiling. "I'm Wan, by the way."
"I'm Qi. Like I said, you're not from around here."
"I come from a city in the far west," said Wan. "For the past two years I've been living among the spirits and exploring the Wilds."
"That's remarkable," said Qi, pulling him to his feet. "I've always wanted to travel beyond these mountains. And to think there are other people out there! You must come to the village. People will be blown away."
#
Qi stopped proudly before bare rock. "We're here."
Wan looked around, not sure what the joke was. "There's nothing here."
"No, silly." She pointed up.
Wan followed her finger to where the mountain disappeared into the clouds.
"How in the Masters' name do we get up there?"
"The usual way, of course," said Qi, riding a gust of wind to land on a ledge.
"What was that?" asked Wan.
"Don't your people airbend?" asked Qi. "How do get into your city?"
"We built it somewhere accessible," said Wan. "If you discount the surrounding volcanoes, that is. Anyway, we don't bend air, we bend fire." He demonstrated with a flame on his palm.
"That's beautiful," said Qi. "Now it makes sense you fell of that cliff. Airbenders don't fall very often."
"Convenient, given your choice of location."
"I'll be right back," said Qi, jumping into the clouds.
"Let's hope it's not just a longer rope," said Wan, petting Mula.
Mist enclosed them as they waited. Something large bellowed nearby.
"Don't worry," said Wan, standing closer to Mula. "I'm sure she'll be back soon."
A gaping mouth emerged from the fog. Wan screamed.
A giant tongue slobbered over him.
"This is Vayu," Qi said atop the air bison. "Did you hear that pig-rabbit again?"
"Funny," said Wan, helping Mula up the saddle.
#
The buzz of the whispering crowd filled the Air Temple. All eyes focused on Wan.
"…and how was it you met Qi, Sun Warrior Wan?" asked Head Nun Hava.
"I don't really think of myself as a Sun Warrior anymore, actually. But it's a great story. There I was, hanging on for dear life to this tiny little shrub, when suddenly…"
"Suddenly," Qi interrupted, "he found the strength to pull himself up all by himself. Isn't that amazing? He later bumped into me at the moon peach orchard, well within the permitted zone. Isn't that right?"
"Sure," said Wan, nodding along. "Well within the zone thing."
"I see," said Hava. "Qi, you do realize the rules are there for your own protection? The Wilds are dangerous."
"Yes, Head Nun."
"As to you, Sun Warrior, we will replenish your supplies. You can be on your way, and things can return to normal."
"Actually, Your Nunness," Wan said glancing at Qi, "I'd like to request your permission to stay here a while and learn your ways."
"You already carry the power of fire," said Hava. "No one has ever held two elements before."
"I'm not like other people," said Wan. "I can learn to do it."
A Council Elder coughed. The five Elders turned their backs as they conferred.
They turned around.
"Sun Warrior Wan," Hava said sternly, "you are welcome to stay."
#
"I meant it," said Wan, scrubbing down Mula. "I really do want to learn airbending."
"That's great," said Qi, brushing Vayu.
"So who are the original airbenders?" asked Wan.
"The air bison, of course."
Wan dropped his brush. "I'm sorry, I didn't know." He knelt before the bison. "Please judge me, Master Vayu."
The bison slobbered him affectionately.
Qi laughed. "What are you doing?"
"Was that a 'no'?"
"Air bison don't talk, Wan."
Wan wiped himself off. "Then how do you learn from them?"
"You have to be the bison, Wan. We get on all fours and eat mulberry leaves."
"You're joking."
"Yes. Don't get me wrong, bison are very intelligent," said Qi, scratching Vayu's ears. "But I guess the first human benders learned by observation. Since then, we usually learn from other humans. How do your people do it?"
"The original firebenders are dragons," said Wan. "They like to talk. At least my master certainly did."
"That's amazing," said Qi. "We don't get many dragons around here. Probably for the best."
"When can I start?" asked Wan.
"You can join the younger acolytes tomorrow," said Qi, "but I guess I could show you a simple exercise."
Wan followed Qi to a set of large wooden panels mounted on poles.
"This is brand new," said Qi. "The goal is to weave your way through the gates and make it to the other side without touching them."
"Seems easy enough," said Wan.
"Also, the gates will be spinning," said Qi, blasting them with air.
"Ah."
Adopting a bending stance, Qi entered the spinning maelstrom. "The key is to be like the leaf. Flow with the movement of the gates."
Emerging on the other side, Qi blew a fresh gust through the gates. "Now you try."
Wan cracked his knuckles. "Let's do this."
#
The crowd threw flower petals as monks and nuns exited the Temple.
Qi walked up to Wan. "So, how do I look?"
Wan followed Qi's blue tattoo from her forehead to the nape of her neck. "Like the youngest master to ever get her tattoos."
"I won't look so much like a monk once I grow half my hair back."
"I think you look beautiful," said Wan.
Qi blushed. "Thanks. You're not that far from your own tattoos."
"In some ways it's so similar to firebending," said Wan. "Just not as cool, of course."
"You mean not as lame," said Qi, punching him on the shoulder. She grew serious. "Have you decided what you're doing afterwards? You always said this was temporary."
"I've been giving it a lot of thought," said Wan. "I'd like to stay here. With you. Well, not with you with you. Unless you want to, of course, in which case…"
She kissed him.
"Stop talking," said Qi.
Wan nodded, a stupid grin on his face.
They kissed again.
An explosion tore through the nearby hut.
"What was that?" said Qi.
"That," said Wan, "was bad timing."
Qi laughed. "We'll pick it up later, let's go."
Dark spirits wreaked havoc throughout the village.
"They've never attacked us like this before," said Qi. "Something's wrong."
A cold shadow crept over them.
"So we meet again, human," said Vaatu.
"Wan," whispered Qi, "how do you know the great spirit of chaos?"
"Uh, I'll explain later," said Wan, blasting an advancing spirit.
Wan and Qi bent wind and flame, holding the spirits back from fleeing villagers. They joined other defenders at the center of the village.
"Oh no," said Qi.
The Air Temple lay in ruins.
"We cannot hold!" Hava cried as the spirits pressed in.
They were blinded by white light.
"Be gone!"
Wan blinked his eyes into focus. The spirits were no more. "Raava!"
"How are you feeling since our split, Raava?" asked Vaatu, floating away. "I've never been better. When Harmonic Convergence comes, I will destroy you forever."
#
"Great spirit of order," said Hava, "we thank you for your help. But how did you become split from Vaatu?"
"Ask him," spat Raava.
"What is she talking about, Wan?" asked Qi.
"I…" said Wan, avoiding her eyes, "…may have neglected to mention the part where I freed the spirit of chaos and doomed the human and spirit realms to annihilation."
"You what?" said Qi. "How could you lie to us like that? To me? And to think I…"
She punched him in the face this time. Then ran.
"Qi, let me explain!" cried Wan.
"Leave her be," said Hava.
"Those spirits," said Wan. "Did Vaatu turn them evil?"
"No one can turn you evil," said Raava. "You must take responsibility for your choices. Vaatu has promised them a world without humans. Many spirits chose to accept. As more spirits join him he becomes stronger."
"He's getting bigger," said Wan, "and you're getting smaller."
"As chaos grows," said Raava, "order fades."
"I'm sorry for betraying your trust, Head Nun," said Wan. "I thought I could escape the consequences of my actions and find happiness here. Instead I brought destruction to your people. I will help you rebuild."
"The Temple is destroyed," said Hava, "the land poisoned by violence. We must leave this place. There is nothing you can do."
"Yes there is," said Wan. "Raava, you have to help me find the other cities. Who knows what bending they have?"
"Why would I help a human who's caused so much trouble?" said Raava.
"Please," said Wan. "I can't let the world fall into chaos because of my mistake. Neither of us can defeat Vaatu alone, but together we have a chance."
"You fought well," said Raava. "You may be right. But a shadow hangs over you. You may be choosing your own death. Are you certain?"
"Positive," said Wan.
"Very well. I will help you find the other cities."
"Thank you," said Wan. "In return, I will help you restore order to the world."
"I recall seeing a human city in the far north," said Raava.
"Great," said Wan. "I'll go talk to Qi."
"You've hurt her enough," said Hava, blocking his way.
"My patience wears thin, human," said Raava.
"Fine," said Wan. "Please tell her I'm sorry, Head Nun. That I'm trying to fix this. That I… I wish things had turned out differently." He turned to Raava. "I'll get Mula. The trek north will be a long one."
"Don't worry," said Raava. "I know a shortcut."
