Chapter 3

Korra:

Korra stared at Iroh in stunned silence. "Ww-hat?" she stammered, her heart pounded painfully in her chest. Iroh merely kept staring at his tea cup.

"I'm not sure Korra," he said carefully, his fingers swirling around the edge of his cup, "But generally a person's death has been planned by the ancient spirits, Dusa and Neschume, many, many years before they are even born. They live their lives however they wish and when the time comes they perish according to the time, date, and cause written by the ancient spirits. I cannot be for certain, but I believe that Asami was meant to be killed by Kuvira. However, your actions changed the way she died." He quickly added, "You didn't kill her, you just changed the way she died. This doesn't happen very often, in fact it is so rare that I have only heard of it happening once before. Dusa and Neschume's death dates are never wrong. So Asami's case is extremely rare. When a person dies according to their death date, their spirits return to the spirit world, and their souls are taken back by the ancient spirits to then be reborn in another body. When the soul enters the new body they live a completely new life, they remember nothing of their past. They are a new person essentially. You are different because your Avatar spirit chooses the new body and you are therefore able to recall your past lives. But I digress, because Asami didn't die according to her death date, I think her spirit may be lost…. It hasn't found its way to the ancient spirits yet. I think if you could find her spirit you could save her."

Korra couldn't believe her ears. After feeling hopeless of never being able to see Asami again, she had a chance, she could see her love again. "How? How can I find her? Where is she? Do you know where she is?" Korra gasped, hope gripped her voice. Iroh looked at her, his face was very grave.

"Rescuing her would be extremely difficult. It would require for you to find her in The Fog of Lost Souls."

"Well let's do it!" Korra said enthusiastically.

"It will not be that easy young Avatar. The Fog of Lost Souls, is itself a spirit. The fog infects your mind and forces you to constantly relive your darkest memory for as long as you are there. It can even alter everything you see around you and how you act around people. You may know a person, but to the infected they could be anyone, anything. If stuck there for too long the effects can be irreversible."

"Then there is no time to waste, Iroh! I will do anything to save Asami!" Korra almost yelled.

Iroh nodded thoughtfully, "I think you should tell Tenzin your plan. He has survived the fog before. He can help you."

Korra was about to protest, wanting to rescue Asami as quickly as possible. But she agreed, this was not something she could do alone. "Thank you Iroh. For everything." She gave the old man a quick hug before she sped off towards the spirit portal.

She burst through the portal startling the resting spirits nearby. The sun was just beginning to rise in the sky, bathing the world in its warm glow. Korra spun her arms, an air scooter appeared beneath her. She willed it to increase speed by turning on the Avatar state and raced towards Air Temple Island. She reached Yue Bay, ran down the dock, and dove into the water. The ferryman looked on with a shocked expression, "Guess she won't be needing a ride." Bending an air bubble around her head Korra swam as fast as she could and within minutes she reached the shore. With a whip of her hands a blast of air shot past her drying her immediately. She sprinted towards the temple, her only goal to find Tenzin. Bursting through the doors she yelled his name. She chose a corridor and ran down it, screaming his name the whole time. Footsteps pounded on the floorboards above her. She heard her name being yelled in panic. Soon Tenzin's worried face followed by Pema carrying Rohan, Jinora, Ikki, Meelo, Kya, and Bumi appeared. Before anyone could speak Korra burst out, "We can save Asami!"


Tenzin:

"What?" Tenzin gave her an incredulous look.

"I know it seems impossible, but I was talking with Iroh in the spirit world and he said that there is a chance we can save her. It would be dangerous, but we could do it!"

"How?" Tenzin questioned. Korra quickly dove into what Iroh had told her. Tenzin couldn't believe his ears.

"Iroh believes that Asami's soul may be stuck in The Fog of Lost Souls. Tenzin, I know you have been there before and I know it is a tough memory for you, but please I am begging you, help me bring Asami back." Korra pleaded with the airbending master. Kya and Bumi gave each other frightened looks, clearly remembering their time in the fog.

Tenzin looked at his family, he couldn't imagine losing them. If there was any way to save the ones he loved he would take the opportunity, no matter the cost. "I will help you Korra." He stated stoically.

Jinora stepped forward, "I will help too. I was trapped there once maybe I can give you some insight on how to save her."

Tears formed in Korra's eyes. She ran forward and pulled the whole family into a giant hug, "Thank you so much!"

Once Korra released them Tenzin motioned for her and Jinora to follow him. Korra obeyed and they went into the living area. Korra sat on the couch, Tenzin and Jinora sat opposite of her.

"Korra this will be very dangerous. And I'm not sure if it will work, but I am willing to try. As Iroh told you the fog affects your mind. Your worst memories will appear unless you can learn to forget them, to forgive yourself for whatever happened. For me my worst memory was my inability to forgive myself for not being exactly the same as dad. I realized though that I was not nor was I meant to be an exact reflection of my father."

Jinora cut in, "For me my worst memory was when Unalaq had captured me and was going to destroy my spirit."

"So how do I beat that?" Korra asked with trepidation in her voice. "I mean who knows what my worst memory could be? It could be Amon, Unavatuu, Zaheer, or Asami's death."

"I don't know which one it will be, but I urge you to think about how you overcame each. How you became a better person out of each of these memories. That will help you to fight the fog."

Korra nodded, pondering the airbenders words. "Let's go get her back."


Korra:

Korra stared at the pit with wide eyes. An eerie white fog filled the entire space, nothing was visible. Ragged, sharp rocks ominously surrounded the edge of the quarry. "That's where I have to go?" Tenzin and Jinora said nothing, their silence confirming Korra's question. She took a deep breath, "Alright let's do this." Tenzin moved first. He took a step forward only to be flung backwards. "Dad!" Jinora yelled. They both ran to his aid.

"I'm fine." He said roughly as he brushed off his robes, his face screwed up in thought, "I don't think I'm allowed back in. I think once you beat the spirit you can never return. I would ask you to try Jinora, but I don't want you to get hurt." Jinora ignored his request and tried to step into the fog, only to suffer the same fate as her father. They helped her up, "I think you're right dad." she said rubbing her sore behind.

"So I'm going to have to do this alone?" Korra asked, fear creeping into her voice.

"Korra you don't have to do this. We don't even know if Asami is in there."

Korra glared at him, "Even if the possibility is slight I am going to try, I will do anything to save Asami."

Tenzin nodded and put his hand on her shoulder, "Please be careful, Korra."

Giving them one last look she stepped to the edge. Carefully, she placed one foot in the fog. Pressure clasped her ankle. A chill found its way up her leg and into her spine. She entered the fog completely. When she looked back both Tenzin and Jinora were gone. Suddenly, it felt like a hand had grasped her leg and she was pulled further into the pit. She tumbled done the cliff side and landed with a thud. Coughing, she stood up and looked around. Being inside the fog was even creepier than looking at its intimidating form from above. Alright, what do I do first? She tried a few air blasts to clear her path, but the fog simply kept reforming no matter how big the gusts were. Korra settled for walking and calling for Asami. She had only been there a few minutes, but she instantly felt that she was being followed. She looked around. Nothing, there is nothing there. You just think there is because of the fog, she told herself. There was a shadow in the corner of her eye and she whipped around, "I knew we would find each other again, Avatar." A voice echoed around her. Korra knew that voice. It had haunted her dreams for many months. Slowly, she turned her head and there it was. The white mask forming out of the fog. "No!" she yelled. His whole body quickly formed. Korra lashed out with two quick fire blasts before she ran off into the fog. But every way she turned he appeared. Stopping in her tracks a cloud of dust floated around her. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the image to fade from her mind, "You're not real. You died. I'm not afraid of you." She turned to look at him. He stepped forward, reaching for her. In a blinding flash he was gone. Korra let out a sob of relief. "Now, to find Asami." She kept walking. Wind buffeted at her ears. Whap! She was thrown to the ground, pushed down by a blast of air. Turning over she saw Zaheer. "You!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, Avatar, your time has come. The era of the Avatar is over." Korra didn't fight back. Instead she got into her meditating pose and waited. Soon enough the wind died down and Zaheer was gone. She had made her peace with him when he helped her return to the spirit world. Slowly, she got up. Blinking she turned and ran straight into the side of a building. She could hear the humming of Kuvira's canon off in the background. Rubbing her throbbing nose, Korra looked around. She instantly knew where she was. She burst out into a sprint, calling out, "ASAMI!" She could see her hair, her limp form. Korra slid to her side. "Please no! No, no, no! Not again!" she grabbed Asami's hands in her own. "You're gonna be fine. I'm going to save you!" As Korra's words left her mouth, Asami's eyes opened.

"You killed me Korra."

Her heart stopped. Asami knew what Korra had done too.

"Asami, I didn't. It was Kuvira. I just changed the way it happened." Korra admitted. No sooner had the words left her lips Asami vanished and Korra was once again engulfed in The Fog of Lost Souls. Korra looked blindly around. She closed her eyes, silently scolding herself for letting her emotions get away from her. But her embarrassment soon turned to confusion. She had gotten over her worst memories. She had beaten the fog, but why hadn't it cleared like it did for Tenzin. She sat for a moment longer before she got up and started her search for Asami again. Hours seemed to pass and Korra felt that she had covered every inch of the prison and hadn't seen a single person. Looking to her left she thought she saw something move, only to run straight into a bald man. His glasses fell off his face only to be caught by the small chain that connected his nose piercing to his ear. "Aiwei?" Korra gasped. The truth seeker glared at her before he ripped his fist into the air, a rock blasted out of the earth following his fist's motion. He punched forward sending the rock flying towards Korra. She barely dodged his blast, tumbling to the side stirring up even more dust. Out of the fog Korra noticed the shape of a human beginning to form. It was running straight for Aiwei. He launched a barrage of rock chunks at Korra, "I will get you Avatar! I will turn you over to Zaheer! Your time is over!" Korra simply bent up an earth shield and watched as the figure came closer. With a graceful leap it glided through the air, landed right behind Aiwei and with a powerful kick to his back sent him flying towards Korra. He slammed into her makeshift shield. The unknown assailant approached, its figure getting clearer and clearer. Korra gasped when she saw the obsidian locks cascading around the figures face and shoulders. "Asami?" she whispered. She was flooded with emotions. She wanted nothing more than to run over and to hug the engineer and never let her go. The green eyed beauty came into full view and grabbed Aiwei by the back of his neck with one hand and his wrist with the other. She pulled his arm backwards forcing it into an awkward and painful position. He gasped in pain. She pulled back on his neck and slammed his face into the rock, "She's mine." She growled. She threw Aiwei back, he landed roughly on the ground before scampering off into the fog once more. Korra quickly bent her shield down. Asami stood straight up her jade eyes flashing. Her face was badly bruised and a large ring of crimson blood stained her jacket. Korra stood as well, searching the engineer's face. She had never seen so much anger on it. Her eyes narrowed maliciously. The emeralds glinted dangerously. Korra spoke, "Asami?" but before she could say any more the engineer's fist went crashing into Korra's jaw, causing the bender to sprawl out onto the ground. Korra got to her hands and knees, one hand holding her aching jaw. She turned her head to look at the engineer. She couldn't get over the look of anguish on her face, the look of pain, the look of pure hatred. Before she could react, Asami was on the assault again. She picked up her foot and swung it full force into Korra's stomach and ribcage. The air left her immediately. She splattered onto the ground gasping for breath. But Asami was not finished, she grabbed Korra by the hair and picked her up, forcing her to face her. She threw a second punch, hitting Korra straight on the nose. Blood promptly erupted from her now broken nose. Korra doubled over in pain. Asami took advantage and threw her knee up, hitting Korra in the mouth, launching her head back. Crimson splattered the earth around them as Korra spat, a tooth dislodging with her spit. "Asami? Why are you doing this?" Korra managed to ask through her bleeding mouth and cracked jaw. Korra reached out to her, hoping to get across to Asami. The engineer quickly grabbed Korra's arm and twisted it, her thumb dug into Korra's palm as she forced her wrist in a painful position. Asami spun her around quickly and a swift kick to the back of Korra's knee effectively dislocated it, forcing Korra to fall over. She cried out in pain, but Asami held her death grip on Korra's wrist. The pressure increased and soon Korra heard a pop. Pain rushed through her arm. Asami released her grip and Korra's broken arm fell to the ground. Asami glared intensely at the broken and battered Avatar. "You tried to kill me, Kuvira. You tried to kill Korra. You killed my FATHER!" She spat out, "You tried to kill everything and everyone I have ever loved. I will destroy you." Suddenly, Iroh's words rang through Korra's head, "It can even alter everything you see around you, and how you act around people. You may know a person, but to the infected they could be anyone, anything." She doesn't see me. She sees Kuvira! Korra thought. Fighting the pain she rolled over using her good arm and pushed herself up. She stood feebly in front of the daunting engineer, holding her agonizing arm. "Asami, please I'm not Kuvira. You know me! I'm Korra. This place it is affecting how you see me! Please Asami, I love you! You have to see me!" Asami raced forward her hands grasped around Korra's neck. They fell to the ground, Korra awkwardly grabbed Asami's wrist, her broken arm useless to fight against her attack. Asami's hands tightened their vice like grip. Korra couldn't breathe, she gasped for breath. "How dare you use Korra's name. How dare you taint what Korra said to me?" Korra succeeded in squeaking out a few more words before Asami's hands constricted her airway completely, "Asami, I know you can't see me, but please… please listen to me. It's me Korra. I know you love me and I love you. If I have to die I want you to know that it's me, not Kuvira." A tear streamed down Korra's face as Asami tightened her grip. Korra released her grip on Asami's hand and brought it up to her face, gently grazing the tips of her fingers along Asami's bruised cheek bone. Darkness began to fill her sight, but she kept her eyes glued on Asami's magnificent emeralds. Her hand dropped and her eyes began to slowly close. "Please, please come back to me." she rasped out. The beautiful orbs of green swirled with emotions. Anger, confusion, pain, sadness, hurt, terror. Asami's grip released and a look of pure horror appeared on her face. "Korra! Oh my spirits! What have I done?" she cried. The fog cleared. "Korra, please! Please come back to me!" She grasped Korra's face in her hands, practically screaming her name. A small cough shuttered Korra's body before she sucked in air, which made her cough even more. Asami gave out a small cry, she quickly jumped off of Korra, and grasped the girl in front of her, holding her tightly against her body.


Asami:

"Asami? Are you alright?" Korra's hoarse voice questioned, a hint of worry breaking through. Asami didn't know how Korra could be worried about her when she looked the way she did. She was dangerously injured and it was Asami that did it to her. Pain filled her heart. She felt like she was always hurting Korra in some way.

"Korra, I'm so sorry! I… I don't know what happened? I woke up in this place and I thought you were Kuvira. Please forgive me, I'm so sorry! I love you so much!"

Korra broke their embrace and said softly, "I love you too Asami, but we have to get out of this place now." Asami gently tried to wipe the blood away from Korra's face and nodded. She helped the wounded Avatar to her feet. The poor bender relied heavily on the engineer as the stumbled out of the prison and into the light of the spirit world.

"KORRA!" Tenzin's cry came out. The Avatar looked up tiredly at the airbending masters as they rushed to her aid. Korra doubled over in pain, promptly passing out. Tenzin looked her over, but found no life threatening injuries. As he looked to Asami to ask if she was alright, he noticed the young woman crying, her bruised and bloodied hands covering her mouth, blood was spattered all over her clothing and face. Tenzin pieced it all together. Asami must have attacked Korra thinking she was someone else. She must have realized who it was and when that happened the fog cleared. "Asami, listen. There isn't much time to explain, but we are in the spirit world. In the fight against Kuvira you… you died. It is extremely complicated to explain, but instead of your spirit returning to the ancient spirits you were sent here because you didn't die like how it was prophesized. Your soul was lost. We came here to find it and now you must find your way back. Your spirit must find your body. We cannot guide you because the process for a spirit to get to the physical world is different than how a human can do it. You must find it on your own. Jinora and I will take Korra back." The engineer looked at the airbender in utter shock, before she nodded compliantly. He rested his hand on her should "Be careful. And please find your way home Asami. We all need you." And with that Tenzin scooped up the injured Avatar and carried her away.

Asami stared as she watched her rescuers recede into the horizon. A rush of emotions flooded over her. She didn't know how to feel. She could hardly comprehend what Tenzin had said to her. All she knew was that she had to get back to the physical world. She ran away from the pit and headed towards a clump of trees. She burst into the forest, ignoring the branches scratching at her. She slowed when she came upon a massive tree. Its branches were completely bare and it split straight up the middle revealing a cave beneath the depths of the bark. Fog slowly swirled around the base. Asami stepped forward suddenly curious. Maybe that will lead me home? she questioned. Cautiously, she jumped from rock to rock until she was at the base of the tree. She placed her hand on the trunk, but immediately retracted her hand when it met the slimy surface. Carefully, she stepped inside. The fog immediately swirled around her obscuring her already failing sight. A low grumbling echoed around her. Asami took a deep breath to calm her voice, "Hello? Is anyone there? Can you help me?" she took a few more steps into the cave. She squinted her eyes trying her best to see through the darkness. Her ears perked for even the slightest of sounds. Deep within the cave she heard a soft scuttling. It grew louder with each moment. Asami retreated a few steps, terrified at what she might find. "Hello?" she asked again.

"Mmmm a new face. So beautiful, so genuine, so curious. And oh so willing to enter my home. That's just the kind I like." A voice growled at her. Asami's breathing increased rapidly, she stepped backwards as quickly as she could without falling over. Her face contorted in fear. She could see a massive form appearing before her, obscured by the fog. Her foot caught on a rock and she fell with a gasp. The form cleared in front of her. Its razor sharp legs carried its massive black and red body. Its centipede like shape narrowed to a point where the face of a woman stared down at Asami. Her face sneered down at Asami. Asami pushed herself backwards and shuffled to her feet. She sprinted towards the cave's opening. She heard a snapping sound and soon a a tightness around her ankles. Her jaw hit the ground with a resounding clack, pain shot through her skull. The pressure on her ankles increased and she was suddenly being pulled towards the creature. Asami uselessly pawed at the ground in front of her, desperate to grab onto something to halt her descend. Her nails dug painfully into the ground and she could hear her nails cracking as she clung to the earth. A sudden force twisted her onto her back and she was staring face to face with the massive form. Asami thrashed out in fear desperate to escape. Her mouth was wide open, relinquishing a silent scream. The monster opened her mouth and more long black tentacles seeped out. Asami stared at the monster in horror. A voice echoed seemingly from out of nowhere. "Hello, Asami. You have quite the beautiful face… I would like to add it to my collection." The tentacles shot towards Asami and they wrapped themselves around her torso in a vice grip. She screamed. "Shhhh," the creature whispered, "screaming only makes it worse." Slowly, the tentacles crept onto Asami's face. They wound their way around her whole head. With a sudden compression they forced their way down her throat and nose. She gasped for air, only to be suffocated further. Her face burned. Her whole body shook. There was pressure around her head that caused her to gurgle out a scream. And then everything went black.


Iroh:

Iroh lifted his head when he heard the scream, "No." he whispered, "Not again." Despite the fact that he hadn't heard that scream for years he would recognize it from anywhere. That was the scream of someone whose face had just been stolen by Koh. He stood up in a flash knocking his chair to the ground and sped off in the direction of Koh's lair. He would not let the spirit take another face. With agility he leapt over the rock path leading to the cave. At the entrance he took a deep breath and calmed his face. Lifting his hand he produced a small flame to light his path. "Ahh the Dragon of the West has finally decided to grace me with his presence." A voice ominously proclaimed from deep within the cave. Without fear Iroh treaded further into the cavern. He stopped dead in his tracks when his light reflected off of a limp body. Leaning closer, the light illuminated the gear on the sleeve of the woman on the ground. Crouching down next to the body Iroh gently pulled the woman towards him. Her body gave way to his pull and rolled towards him, her head lolled to the side. Iroh let out a startled sigh. The obsidian hair fell over where her face should have been. Now all that remained was silky smooth skin.

"I have come to take back something that doesn't belong to you Koh." Iroh retorted. The ancient spirit crawled into the light of Iroh's fire. The face of a beautiful woman glared at him. Her emerald green eyes flashing maliciously, the light purple eye shadow only aiding in their wicked intent. Her red painted lips pulled into a smirk,

"And what makes you think I'll give it back?" the spirit questioned.

Iroh's flame grew in size, "How about this." He thrust his fist forward fire jetting toward the spirit. It moved with astonishing speed as it dodged the flame. The monsters face contorted to that of a blue oni mask. It screamed at Iroh. With a few more punches Iroh blasted his way towards the spirit. It tried to attack back with its legs, but the Dragon of the West blocked every advance with a new wave of fire. With a powerful wave of his arm his fire struck the oni mask. Koh retracted in pain. He quickly blinked through a few more faces searching for the one he just wore, but to no avail. He growled at Iroh before settling on the face of an old man, "You may have taken one of my faces, but you will never have hers!" he yelled, one of his pinchers pointing towards Asami's limp body. Iroh blasted himself into the air, his face as calm as ever, and he landed near Asami's body. Copying the motions of the airbenders that he once studied Iroh created a swirling, angry, inferno of fire. He stepped over Asami's body and gradually forced the flaming ball around them, both humans safe beneath the raging firestorm. With a few deep breaths he forced the flame outwards. Once again the spirit screamed in pain as the fire torched his body. Like before his faces disappeared as they returned to their rightful owners. Face after face Koh blinked his possessions away until finally he rested at his most recent. "You will rue this day for eternity Iroh. I will avenge what you have done to me!" and just like that Koh was faceless. The spirit retreated deep into his cave. Iroh lowered his hands and released the flames. He watched the retreating spirit and quickly sent up a wall of fire blocking the entrance to the cave. Turning around Iroh rushed over to the young woman. He gently pushed the hair out of her face and gasped.