Chapter 9: One Clever Spirit
He was probably hallucinating. There was no absolute way she...or her eyes, rather...were before him now. Either all that rain must have gotten to his head. Or he was most likely going crazy with this emotional burden.
But why did he still die a little on the inside when he was abandoned even by her gaze? Surely she loved him. Wouldn't she spend a few seconds showing him her face after these painfully long years?
"Yue!" he called out, gazing at the darkness. He let go of the mast, not caring if the water was willing to sweep him away. He raced out to the edge of the ship where most of the white mist was situated so he could be appeased by the hope that her misty arms would envelop him. Something made of metal hit his head in the process, but he didn't acknowledge it. His piercing blue eyes scanned the rough atmosphere and ignored the tantrum of the sea, wanting to drown in the mist despite the throbbing of his head.
"YUE!" he yelled again, his voice breaking from the lump forming in his throat. It was like he wouldn't survive if he didn't call out her name. Moisture spilled from his eyes and merged as one with the rain. At this point, he didn't care if he was getting drenched from head to toe.
The air around him seemed so surreal. He eagerly waited for the next flashes of lightning, and when they came, he could see nothing in their light. That didn't mean the otherworldly disappeared from the atmosphere altogether.
"I know you're here!"
A sudden glow flickered through the immense blankets of mist and raised his hopes. It was like a curse was lifted. The waves suddenly waned from their restlessness and began to settle down. All the seawater that temporarily eroded the deck of the ship suddenly made its way effortlessly into the air and became one with the sea- as if someone had swiftly waterbended it. The harshness of the rain subsided. The ship stopped rocking back and forth and found stability. The crew members were all knocked out, but more so by the otherworldly presence than the actual conundrum itself. It was definitely the Moon Spirit making these changes. And that too for his sake, he knew.
"Please. I need to see you."
The thunder didn't rumble as deeply and viciously as it did before. Slowly, things were going back to normal. It all happened in a matter of seconds...and yet, Sokka still didn't get a glimpse of Yue.
But he did hear her voice.
Danger awaits you at the North Pole. You must leave.
Overwhelming emotions hit him hard. He didn't know what to specifically feel. His initial reaction was surprise. Wasn't it Yue who urged him in his dream to save her people? Then again, his dominant reaction was a mixture of content, nostalgia, and disappointment. He missed her voice so much, and it was more flawless than he had known it to be all these years, but it also resonated with a sense of stability and emotionless strength than the delicacy and gentleness he was used to.
"Yue," he breathed tenderly and brokenly. "It's me. Sokka."
Leave this place, she repeated in a slightly louder, more cautious tone.
He felt fidgety. Clearly he knew she was warning him out of her affection for him, but she wasn't willing to acknowledge him. She wasn't angry with him, was she?
"Y-you recognize me, don't you?"
The lump in his throat was consuming him. His eyes burned while searching for the spirit, but the mist began to disperse quickly, and the spiritual remnants in the air disappeared one by one.
"No! Wait! Yue!"
Sokka aimlessly lunged towards the last traces of the mist, but it was like the spirit was running away from him. He felt like a madman as he tried to grab handfuls of the mist.
"Don't go!" he yelled.
He felt an uneasiness in his chest as the night grew perfectly still following the evanescence of the white mist. The sea took a break from its tantrum and slumbered as if nothing had caused its restlessness.
"NO!"
Rain continued to patter softly on his tired, sullen form. He was so close to seeing her face those few moments ago that he had expected so much. He let go of the bitter expression on his face once he saw the reflection of the moon in the ocean and sank to his knees.
He wasn't too worried about the awkward tension between them despite not knowing where it came from, but he could understand to an extent. In fact, he should have expected their first encounter to not be of the lovey-dovey "I miss you" type considering how she must have watched over him each night. He took a deep breath, glancing at the night with unchanged fervor and bloodshot eyes.
What tugged his heartstrings the most was that she never appeared before him since the day she left him, but today, she broke that record so she could warn him. If facing this so-called danger meant he could see her more often, he was definitely not leaving.
"It doesn't matter, Yue. I'm coming for you. I'm going to help the Northern Water Tribe. No matter what happens."
He heard footsteps racing up to him from behind. He cleared his throat, trying to act normal.
"Councilman Sokka! Here you are."
"How are the others, Lieutenant?"
"Slightly dazed, but they've woken up now. We're not exactly sure how this happened."
Sokka nodded. "There are some things you don't need to find the answers for. You just have to accept them and move on."
"Understandable. Are you alright, sir?"
"I guess I'm alive." The warrior glanced at the Lieutenant's alarmed expression. "Don't worry about it. How much longer until we reach the North?"
"Another two weeks, sir."
Sokka sighed, glancing at the moon. "Make it one week. I don't know how you'll do it, but I need to be there in one week."
"One week? But-"
"I'm sure the benders can speed things up, can't they?"
"I'm afraid it will be very risky. Even if we do have technological advancements and bender support. If you're really up for it-"
"Oh, I'm up for it. The sooner we reach the North Pole, the better."
"I will let the crew members know. Is there anything else you need, sir?"
"No...other than a message to be sent to General Kano that we'll be there another week early for the Moon Festival."
"And that will be all?"
He sighed, mumbling to himself, "And a little bit of moon magic."
"Did you hear? Councilman Sokka will be arriving in a few days."
General Kano looked up. "I suppose you've gotten the wrong information, General Bo. He will be here after two weeks."
"No, General Kano, we just received a messenger hawk sent by the councilman's lieutenant." Bo held up a scroll. "He wrote saying their estimated arrival will be around a week, if not less."
"He must be coming early this year considering what happened with Chief Arnook," Kano said. "I have to say I'm relieved. Having a member of the United Nations Council with us is certainly beneficial."
"I hear he will be providing security for the successor," the war minister said, turning to a young man sitting near Kano. "I suppose you will receive plenty of protection these next few months, Prince Anyu."
"I hear he will be more of a diplomat, sir," the prince said, slightly annoyed. "He's coming to settle some issues and share some of his experiences in the Northern Water Tribe."
"Oh, pardon me."
The young prince crossed his arms, disapproved by how the generals thought the councilman was an equivalent to a security guard. Ever since he learned about Sokka and the crucial personality he had been in Chief Arnook's life, Anyu had been fascinated with him. He heard a great deal about the councilman; He had been in charge of the Southern Water Tribe from an early age while his father, Chief Hakoda, and the men of the tribe were away at war. He was one of the war heroes who helped end the Hundred Year War. He was a warrior, companion of the Avatar, master swordsman who travelled the world, and a representative of the Southern Water Tribe. Not to mention, he was an incredible speaker. What was interesting to Anyu the most was that Sokka was the lover of Princess Yue, and starting the year after the Hundred Year War ended, he had been taking annual trips to the Northern Water Tribe to attend the Moon Festival without fail. Anyu felt that Councilman Sokka would not only be the perfect diplomat for the Northern Water Tribe, but also a great mentor for him. Honestly, Anyu saw Sokka as family, for if Chief Hakoda was given the chance, he would have easily accepted Sokka as his son in law.
"Do you think the councilman will also be involved in solving the mystery behind Chief Arnook's death?"
"I am more concerned with how he will handle the uprisings that are starting to show up in the city. Since we temporarily don't have a chief."
Their conversation was interrupted by a soft voice. "Noodles, your excellencies."
"Come in," Kano ordered.
Anyu felt funny when he heard that voice. For some reason, he sensed a supernatural presence around him. He turned around and saw a cloaked woman entering the tent with her head held low. Her hair and part of her face was covered as she made her way over to the table with her tray of noodles. She waited for a moment.
"You must be new to the job," General Bo said. "You have permission to serve."
"My apologies."
The generals went back to their discussion. Anyu noticed the particular interest the woman held for the conversation. He noticed how she made her way around the table slowly, taking extra time to fix up each general's snack not out of respect or courtesy, but of curiosity for the subject being discussed. She never made eye contact with anyone, and it was difficult to see her face fully, but Anyu felt like he knew her from somewhere simply by sensing her calm aura.
When the woman came up to him, she made eye contact with him and smiled warmly, exhibiting her motherly gaze. For some reason, she reminded him of a sister he always wanted. She gave him the bigger bowl of noodles and added more side-dishes for him.
"For the young prince to stay hale and hearty for uplifting the family name."
Anyu smiled back.
"In a way, we won't have many problems," the war minister continued. "Councilman Sokka will be strict enough to settle the rebellions down."
"He is also a wonderful tactician," General Guo added. "He will definitely be an asset to promoting Water Tribe culture."
The servant woman laughed for a moment, striking the generals' attentions. Anyu raised his eyebrows.
"Why did you laugh?" General Kano asked her.
She quickly cleared her throat. "No reason, your excellencies."
Kano frowned. "You are not to leave unless you admit your reason."
"I wish not to be an offense."
"Please," Anyu urged. "We would appreciate your input. It is our duty to listen to our people, is it not?"
The woman smiled proudly at him and turned to face the generals. "No reason, your excellencies. I am sure you know more than what my feeble mind does, but I was only thinking of the reality behind all of your words."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Bo questioned.
"I hear Councilman Sokka is to arrive within the coming week and serve as a diplomat to the Northern Water Tribe. I feel he will not have enough authority to establish the ideals that all of you feel are appropriate for the tribe."
She certainly sounded smart despite her position. Anyu was amused.
"Are you questioning our measures of government?" Guo asked.
"I only mean to say that it is not possible for laws to be made or passed with the aid of a diplomat...or by generals for that matter. If anything, the Chief is the only person who can efficiently enforce laws within the tribe. I feel that if the councilman is awarded a higher role in government affairs, he will be able to better suit the needs of the people."
The generals were surprised. That was a valid point. Anyu observed the woman closely. She was finally making eye contact with the rest of the generals. Her eyes, a beautiful shade of blue containing the perfect recipe for humility mixed with confidence, easily convinced the generals of the validity in her words.
"What do you know about the councilman so much that makes you believe his authority should be increased?"
"I have heard from many that he is the right hand man of Chief Arnook. I have also heard that he is next in line for chiefdom in our sister tribe." The woman glanced up at them. "I believe this reason is valid enough to prove his worth."
"Then what do you suggest that we do, your excellency?" Kano asked rather arrogantly. "To 'award the councilman with a higher role in government affairs'?"
Even someone as young as Anyu could notice the disrespectful tone in the general's voice, but it seemed the woman displayed an immense amount of patience. Her eyes sparkled. "What do I know, sir? I am a mere servant. I simply do not have the right to suggest making Councilman Sokka the temporary tribal chief."
Anyu felt his lips forming a huge smirk, noticing the way she seasoned the last two words with extra emphasis. That really was smart on her part. The generals stared at one another, wide-eyed.
"Chief?!" Kano nearly choked on his noodles. "B-but-"
"I think it's a great idea!" Anyu smiled excitedly, standing up.
"I must be going now," the woman excused herself, but not before flashing a knowing smile of her own. She certainly seemed content with how the scenario turned out. "Enjoy your meals."
Anyu grinned widely as she left. He certainly was pleased with the idea of Sokka taking over as the temporary chief. Besides, not only will he be a form of security for the tribe, but the tribe will be a form of security for him as well. Clearly these generals weren't just going to throw the councilman out in the battlefield without some sort of shield. "Gentlemen, I think we have our solution."
"Prince Anyu, you are forgetting the fact that you are only fifteen now-"
Anyu raised his eyebrows. "I don't mean to be disrespectful, General Bo, but I do feel the need to emphasize that I am the successor of Chief Arnook. Surely I need a mentor to help guide me in my duties. Who else is the perfect choice for the position other than Councilman Sokka?"
The generals were awed. Kano cleared his throat. "You haven't even met the councilman, Prince Anyu-"
"I certainly know a great deal about him through my research. I believe he will make a fine chief...even if it's for a short time."
The generals knew they couldn't argue. They mumbled among themselves but decided that the idea certainly was the best.
It was precisely at that moment when Anyu saw a strand of immensely long, white hair a few feet away from his table. He furrowed his eyebrows in curiosity and picked up the strand, observing it closely. He didn't need to think too much to realize who the new servant woman really was. This strand of white hair was enough to explain why she took such interest in listening to the generals' conversations...why she had such immense knowledge of Water Tribe government policies despite being a "servant", why she exhibited the grace of a regal individual, and especially why she was so intent in raising the councilman's authority. The fifteen year old gawked at the entrance of the tent in shock.
Now that's one clever spirit, the prince thought, smiling in exhilaration.
And somewhere up in the sky, the moon laughed in amusement.
