Fire. Air. Water. Earth. The Avatar can bend all of these. The last Avatar, Avatar Kyoshi, destroyed the empire of Chin the Great, saving the Earth Kingdom from a terrible fate. But she has passed on. Now everyone waits for the next Avatar, whom they have begun calling The Dragon Warrior.
Book One:
Air
Chapter 4:
The Solstice
"The solstice is the most important part of the year. Especially the winter solstice." The monk intoned.
"Yeah, yeah." Gyatso interrupted. "It's the shortest day of the year."
"And also the most deadly. This is when the spirit world and this world come together." The monk replied.
"So…past Avatars are going to come to life? Maybe we'll see what Roku looked like 100 years ago!" A student called.
The monk sighed. "No. The spirits can cross over more easily. That is all. We may see them if they choose. Only a certain few will be able to see spirits regardless of whether or not they allow us to see them."
"Cool!" A young boy named Chu-an yelled out. "I want to see them!"
"It is a gift. Not a right." They young monk patiently explained before going back to his lecture.
"Do you see them?" Gyatso asked Roku as they finished up their kitchen duties.
"See what?"
"Spirits?"
Roku paused. "Other than my meditations when I can't help it, no."
"We should go see one."
Roku sighed. "We can't. You heard the teacher. Only some people can see them."
Gyatso nodded, then smiled. "What if you brought me into the Spirit World?"
"I don't know how."
Gyatso sighed. "Oh well. There's plenty of stuff for us to do during the solstice!"
Dear Roku,
How are you in your trainin? I heard airbenders have to shave their heads. I hope you don't come home bald. That would be the surprise of the century.
Anyways, my training to be the next Firelord is progressing nicely. I cannot write much more, but I cannot wait for you to return to our home.
Sincerely,
Sozin
P.S. Ta Min was asking about you. You should write to her.
Roku smiled sadly as he read the letter.
Gyatso burst into the room. "Roku, I saw them! I saw the spirits!"
Roku dropped his letter. "Cool! Where?"
"In the garden!"
"I don't see anything." Roku said doubtfully.
"It's gone." Gyatso said. "But it was here! I swear it was here!"
"What was it?"
"It was monkey dude!" Gyatso said excitedly.
"A…monkey dude?"
"Yep. And it was like meditating and everything."
"You're not drinking cactus juice anymore, right?"
"I'm telling you! It was here, right here!"
"Well, maybe it was here."
"It will be."
Dinner was quiet and subdued. The Avatar and his new friend were missing from the table. "Where is Avatar Roku and Novice Gyatso?" The head monk asked.
All of the students turned to look at him. "They're out in the garden." One of them finally said.
"Why?"
The student shrugged and went back to eating. "I dunno."
Gyatso and Roku were woken up by the sound of their names. "What?" Gyatso said blearily.
"What are you doing out here?" The monk who had found them demanded.
"Looking for the monkey spirit." Roku mumbled.
The monk sighed. "Since it is a special occasion, we shall not punish you…now."
Roku and Gyatso looked at each other and gulped.
