4. Earth (Part 1)
A cry of frustration cut across the forested valley.
"Again," said Shui.
Wan moaned as he took his stance. "This river isn't much warmer than the North Pole."
"That's because it's snowmelt from the mountains," said Shui. "You'd be able to feel it if you practiced."
"I do practice," said Wan.
"If you did, your arms wouldn't be that far apart." She pushed them into position, her touch lingering slightly longer than necessary. "This way you protect your center."
"Got it," said Wan. "I badly need a break when we get to the city."
"You and me both," said Shui. "Now show me the octopus form."
Tentacles of water slowly rose around Wan.
"Well done," said Shui.
The tentacles began to quiver.
"Focus."
A bark came from the shore. The tentacles collapsed, soaking Wan.
"Careful," said Shui, shifting her stance. "It could be dangerous."
Wan looked at the shore. A brown fox looked back.
"Relax," he said. "Have I mentioned I'm good with animals?"
"You were also supposed to be good with bending," said Shui.
"Watch and learn."
The fox nuzzled through their supplies.
"Hey, buddy," said Wan. "You hungry? We might have some fish…"
The fox emerged with the map case in its mouth.
"No, no, you won't like that," said Wan, wading to shore.
The fox bounded away.
"Wait, come back!" cried Wan, running after it.
Shui dried herself off and soothed Mula and Kimik.
Wan returned, panting.
"Did your buddy to give it back?" asked Shui.
"Little. Monster. Disappeared," said Wan, catching his breath. "What are we going to do? We're lost in the middle of nowhere."
"What's wrong?" asked Raava, hovering to them.
"Where were you?" said Wan. "Why weren't you watching the camp?"
"I am…" said Raava.
"…the manifestation of pure order, I know," said Wan. "Doesn't a forest creature running off with our only map count as disorder?"
"What I was going to say," said Raava, "is that I am growing weak. I was resting."
"You used to tower above me," said Shui. "Now you are barely my height."
"I… I'm sorry, Raava," said Wan, sliding to the ground. "It's just… How are we going to find the city now?"
Shui touched his shoulder. "We keep moving."
#
The forest thinned out as they reached the foothills.
Wan caught a reflection in the undergrowth. "Look!" he said, running to it. "It's some kind of… weapon!"
"Wan?" said Shui.
"Not now," said Wan, digging out the blade. "Don't you see? The city must be nearby."
"Wan," said Raava.
"Masters' tails, what is it?" said Wan, turning around.
A village nestled against the mountain.
"Oh," said Wan. "Told you it was nearby."
#
They walked past empty huts.
"Where is everybody?" asked Wan.
"Did you see the damage on the fortifications?" said Shui. "This village was at war."
"Perhaps a spirit attack," said Raava.
"But why would they leave?" said Wan.
"Maybe to find someplace safer," said Shui. "Or maybe…"
The three contemplated the alternative in silence.
"We keep moving," said Wan.
"But where?" asked Shui.
"We could…" said Wan.
Rocks crashed outside the village.
"Landslide?" asked Wan.
"No," said Raava. "Dark spirits."
#
Outside, dark spirits huddled over large fallen rocks, the ground around them torn up.
"Be gone!" cried Raava, pulsing white light.
The spirits were momentarily dazed. Shaking off the glare, they charged towards them.
Wan swiped air, blowing them back, then jumped towards them, punching fireballs.
"Wan," said Shui, whipping canteen water through a spirit.
"Little busy right now," said Wan, dodging a slash and kicking out an arc of fire.
"There's a body," said Shui, deflecting a spirit with a sheet of ice. "Under the rubble."
"Oh, no," said Wan, double-jumping to the rocks. "I can't tell whether he's alive."
Spirits surrounded the rocks.
"Raava," cried Wan, "I need your help!"
"I am too weak," said Raava.
"Not if we do it together," said Wan, fighting spirits away from the young man. "Like in the North Pole."
"It could kill you," said Raava.
"So could this," said Wan.
A spirit wrestled him to the ground as others jumped on top. Raava dived into the pile.
"Wan!" cried Shui.
White light filled the spaces between spirits, growing in intensity until the pile exploded.
"Be gone!"
Only Wan remained, in burning white aura, encircled in fire, wind and water.
#
With a cry of pain, Wan collapsed to the ground.
Shui ran to him.
Wan smiled weakly. "It actually worked. How's Raava?"
"That was very foolish," said Raava, hovering to him. "And very brave."
They were interrupted by a moan.
"Guess he's alive," said Shui, running towards the young man.
Water glowed as she bent it over him. "Nothing broken… Possible internal injuries…"
Blurry eyes gazed into hers. "Saved by an angel."
Shui smiled.
"I might need mouth-to-mouth."
The smile disappeared. "He'll live," said Shui, standing up. "Nothing I can do about being an idiot."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," said the man. "Thank you for saving my life. My name is Tu."
Shui glowered in response.
"I'm Wan, and these are Shui and Raava. Are there any other survivors?"
"What do you mean?"
"From the attack on your village," said Wan.
"What? Oh, that's the old village," said Tu. "I just came here to hunt. We've long since moved to the new city. Come, I'll show you."
#
Tu stopped proudly before bare rock. "We're here."
Wan promptly looked up the mountain. "But there's nothing there."
"Why would there be?" asked Tu.
Widening his stance, he clapped his hands and pushed into the air.
With a groan the rock wall followed his movement, revealing a tunnel.
"That's amazing," said Wan. "Rockbending."
"We call it earthbending," said Tu. "But it's pretty amazing, alright."
Shui rolled her eyes.
The tunnel opened into the mountain range, peaks hiding the horizon. The closest mountaintop had been carved into a pyramid city.
"I take that back," said Wan. "That's amazing."
#
Tu led them up the elevated causeway to the smooth earthwork wall.
A green-armored guard blocked their path. "State your business."
"These outsiders would like to request an audience with the Queen," said Tu.
"Are you sure?" whispered Shui. "We've recently had a bad experience with authority."
"Positive," said Tu, flashing a smile.
The guard looked them up and down. Frowning, he widened his stance and pushed out with his arms.
Wan and Shui immediately assumed defensive stances.
Behind the guard, the wall opened into a gate.
"I'll send a message to the Palace," said the guard. "You can start making your way up." He turned to the gatehouse. "Prithvi, your turn!"
A deep sigh came from within. "I went last time!"
"No you didn't!" the guard called back. "Are we going to have to wrestle for it?"
After some hesitation, a skinny guard exited the gatehouse and jogged into the city.
"Thank you," said Tu, bowing.
They crossed the gate and entered the city.
"Which way to the Palace?" asked Wan.
Tu pointed up.
Wan followed the rising terraces. The top of the city was hidden beyond the cloud line. "How do we get there?"
"We take the stairs," said Tu.
"If your people can move earth," said Shui, "shouldn't there be an easier way sending messages up and down?"
"I hadn't thought of that," said Tu. "There might be something to it."
#
The Palace rode on a sea of clouds.
Wan waved at the messenger guard, still recovering his breath in the shade. The guard glowered back.
A Palace guard walked up to greet them. "You can leave your mounts outside. Please follow me."
Earthen hallways were decorated with green tapestries. They came to a high-ceilinged hall, the opposite wall engraved with a square inscribed in a circle. Below it, an aged queen sat on a stone throne.
"Queen Oma," said Tu, bowing, "these outsiders saved me from a spirit attack by the old village."
Milky green eyes studied them. "You have my thanks," said Oma. "What brings you to my city?"
"Your Majesty," said Wan, bowing, "this must come as a surprise, but I come from…"
"…another human city," said Oma. "Please do not waste my time with the obvious."
Wan was at a loss for words.
"Others of your people arrived a few days ago," Oma continued. "Did your friend not tell you?"
"He was busy talking about himself," said Shui.
"I just assumed they knew," protested Tu.
"The firebender expedition!" said Wan.
"What firebender expedition?" asked Oma.
"There is a firebender city to the west," said a voice behind them. "They bend flame like they bend words, to suit their own purposes."
#
Wan turned around. "Head Nun!" he cried, bowing. "I didn't expect to meet you here."
"We travel east," said Hava, "to build a new Temple and weather the coming storm."
"Is she…" said Wan.
"The Nomads have sundered," said Hava. "Qi chose to travel west with Head Nun Vata."
"Oh," said Wan, crestfallen.
Hava turned to Oma. "Wan is a firebender. He was also my student at the old Temple, until Vaatu and his spirits destroyed it. He then revealed he was responsible for Vaatu's release."
Oma's forehead creased in alarm. "Is this true?"
"It is, Your Majesty," said Wan. "I have vowed to fight Vaatu. I request your permission to study the art of earthbending."
"You approve of this, Head Nun?" asked Oma.
Hava bowed to Raava. "If the great spirit believes in him, I cannot disagree."
Oma clicked long fingernails as she thought. "Come forward, firebender."
Wan knelt before throne.
Surprisingly quick, Oma took his hand and placed a ring on his finger.
"Um, thanks?" said Wan, admiring the green-purple crystal.
Tu gasped.
"That ring is pure jennamite," said Oma, "a crystal that grows remarkably fast. You will be completely encased by nightfall unless you pass my test."
"Let him go!" cried Shui, stepping forward.
Raava lay a tendril on her shoulder. "He must face this challenge alone."
"Thanks, Shui," said Wan, watching the crystal begin to expand. "What's the test?"
"You will be taken to a maze," Oma said wistfully. "If you make it out alive, I will remove the crystal and allow you to learn earthbending."
"I'm ready," said Wan. "Is it close to the Palace?"
"Yes," said Oma. "Beneath it."