Part 3 of His Earthly Tether: Freedom

I was on my way to the room of airbending gurus where Zaheer was meditating. For the first time, I heard him cite the inscription himself.

"Let go of your earthly tether

Enter the void

Empty and become wind

Empty and become wind."

I walked into the room and there he was, back turned, in his lotus position and holding that precious amulet in his hands. He faced the statue of his beloved guru, showing his devotion.

"The airbenders are secured."

"Thank you, P'Li, for everything." Anything at all, my love.

"Of course." I nodded. I was about to leave when he spoke.

"I want you to know, not one day went by in that prison when I didn't think of you." I turned back as soon as those words came out of his mouth. I walked towards him and held his hands.

"Years apart only made my love for you stronger. And deep down I knew you would find a way to get me out. Just like you saved me from becoming that warlord's killing machine when I was a girl." Tears of joy formed in my eyes as I caressed his cheek. "You've shown me what true freedom means."

"And after today," He clasped his hands with mine, "we'll show the entire world what it means. No more prisons, no more running." Yes, together we will liberate the world.

"I love you Zaheer."

"I love you too." I leaned down and kissed him.

How I missed our intimate moments together. It's been all about the mission lately. It's alright if he doesn't give too much attention to me right now. I understand that our love can wait. After all this we'll be living like maniacs, defending ourselves from danger and having total freedom. No rulers oppressing us, chaos spreading like wildfire just how this order wants the world to be.

We were just teenagers before, trained by the very masters that founded this group. I was often spending time with Ming-Hua until he calls for me to speak in private. He openly tells me of whatever happened in his sessions with our founding leader. I feel glad that he trusts me with these things. I love the fact that he makes me feel special.

Then came the time when we were appointed as Xai Bau's guardians. We were entrusted to guard his body. We received his blessing, from a Grand Lotus, actually supporting our relationship. Zaheer was now our leader. And he made sure our mission was carried.

Capturing the Avatar, either she sides with us or be the price of true freedom. We failed with our first attempt. Zaheer and I were separated, almost losing hope of ever seeing each other again. But then thirteen years passed and now, we're back together. Now we're here, about to set the world free.

XxXxXxX

Familiar faces from Zaofu landed on Laghima's peak, attempting to retrieve the Avatar for the second time. No, I won't let them get her. We're already this close and I refuse to let anything happen now.

"Get the Avatar on the airship. I'll deal with them." I fired beams to the metalbenders, sending some of them off the cliff. Two of their leaders sent me slabs and I was able to crush them with my combustion beams.

I fired another beam to one of them but she dodged it and took cover. I curved some of my shots to reach those two nuisances.

"COME AND GET ME, YOU THIRD-EYED FREAK!" One of them came out of hiding and avoided my blast and sent another slab to me. I dodged them easily and I fired my beams again. Her futile attempt to protect herself caused her to get blasted to the edge of the cliff.

I focused a strong beam on this weakened metalbender until felt the metal that hit me and covered my entire head. Somehow I felt something like this would happen. Either of us would die for the same cause. This is the end of me, his earthly tether. I saw the blinding light of my own blast and heard him yell my name for the last time before the silence settled in.

No. I refuse to settle with the spirits right away. For one last time, I intend to help.

"It's over, Zaheer."

"Let go of your earthly tether." I release you from the chain that bonds us together.

"Release the Avatar!"

"Enter the void."Let me show you the way.

"THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING!"

"Empty, and become wind."Live your dream. Let the legend become true once more.

This is my final embrace. Now, I set you free.

XxXxXxX

Hey there! So yeah, I just really want to thank you for reading my first ever multi-chaptered fic. I updated early because I set deadlines for myself and I still have other fics to write about the Red Lotus.

Let me know what you think :) I'd like to see some reviews.