Genji woke up to see Angela over him. A smile came to his lips, at least until she helped him sit up and he could see who else was with them. Jack Morrison, the palace's guard commander, was there, which meant he'd been brought back with Hanzo, the problem he still didn't know how to solve. McCree and Zenyatta both grinned to see him well, though McCree's smile seemed unsure. It wasn't hard to imagine either Zenyatta or Angela telling him what'd happened between him and Hanzo, but he hoped the grimness in his expression was unrelated.
Or perhaps he didn't. Of all the terrible things that could've happened to them, McCree knowing about their family troubles was probably the least dire. He'd done a lot of thinking during his time unconscious, which sounded strange even to him. It almost felt like he'd gone somewhere else…seen something else. Even as his friends were gathering around him to ask him how he was and express their happiness, he knew he had to make a decision.
Grunting as he stood, he gently pushed his way past Zenyatta and out the door without stopping to tell anyone anything. They wouldn't understand what he was thinking and feeling, or what he needed to do to figure himself out. Walking out into the approaching dawn he allowed his instincts to guide him.
[next]
Jack had been both overjoyed and worried when he first realized Prince Genji was still alive. While it was good to know the family he was meant to protect was more whole than he originally knew, it meant he'd been lied to by Fire Lord Sojiro. He wondered how much the new fire lord had known, as well as the council of elders.
If the prince hadn't been killed by one of his instructors in a training accident, he'd been ordered to hand an innocent man over to his executioner. At the time the man's cries of innocence had fallen on deaf ears, as it was something he'd heard from wrong doers too many times before. He'd known the former fire lord was a hard man, one who was capable of great sacrifice for the good of his nation. But this lie told him that wasn't all he was, leaving him to imagine how many times he'd been told to act under questionable circumstances and hadn't known about it.
He knew it would be polite to wait a while after the prince woke up to ask him what had really happened…but Genji didn't say a word to anyone before he stormed out the door with the bearing of a man with purpose. Like the others, he followed him outside and away from the hut. While they all seemed unsure what to do, three of them seemed slightly less confused, as if they knew the most. He doubted any one of the younger members of their group considered him a "friend", but he would have liked to think they knew he was someone who could be trusted. Having secrets kept from him could only make his job more difficult.
[next]
Genji could somehow feel himself being pulled in the right direction, and he could almost see the faint azure trail left by an injured spirit dragon as it passed. He'd seen so much while unconscious, as if Hanzo's return had unlocked something that'd been hindering him during Zenyatta's guided meditations. The longer he was awake he could feel his view of the spirit world fading, but even with his moment of enlightenment slowly being left in the past he could feel his brother's will was wavering. He didn't know if it was the lack of his bending that'd caused it, or something more meaningful. This was his chance to find out.
It was only seconds after he'd caught his first glimpse of his brother before he bore down on him like a hurricane. His fist flew out and struck Hanzo in the cheek hard enough to send him to his knees, stunned. He could hear the others behind him talking, unsure who to help or how to stop what they must've believed was the beginning of a fight. He ignored them and waited, watching.
Hanzo made no move to stand and defend himself and it was several seconds before he looked up at him, his expression blank as if in an attempt to hide the brokenness Genji could see in his eyes and the aura of his soul. Something had changed, wounded him deeply since they last fought. It made Genji's decision that much easier. He held out his hand to him.
[next]
Hanzo stared at the outstretched hand in wary apprehension, weighing his options. He wasn't sure what he wanted to happen, or what he wanted Genji to say. He didn't know if he had the will to say anything, himself, but simply sitting there wasn't going to achieve anything. Numbly, he reached up and took his brother's hand.
In a whirl of movement Hanzo was swept to his feet and into Genji's arms. Stunned, he didn't risk moving. Where was the knife? He hadn't seen a blade in either of his hands, but he knew there had to be one, somewhere.
"I forgive you."
The trembling he'd been suppressing started, then. He knew Genji could feel him shaking, but couldn't muster the pride to be embarrassed by it. So much unsteady hope had flooded him in an instant, and all he could think was "how?" and soon that was all he could ask.
"How?" he whispered, "after all I've done? I haven't even apologized."
"You just did," Genji replied confidently.
At last, Hanzo allowed his arms to wrap themselves around his brother's shoulders, returning the unexpected hug. He knew he'd been wrong about the knife, and should have known that sooner. Genji wouldn't do it…he was nothing like him.
"You are cold as ice, Brother," the prince went on, releasing him, "come back inside. You should allow Master Ana to tend your burn."
Hanzo looked in the direction of the hut he'd been prepared to leave behind if Genji had chosen to challenge his rule. Most of their group had followed Genji, understandably, but had kept their distance. That, he was thankful for.
He wished McCree wasn't among them. Even then, he wasn't meeting his gaze. That small sting left him feeling numb despite the love his brother had given him. He deserved to be shunned, not loved. Thinking about it wasn't going to change it. It was a crisp morning, and he'd been outside for a while. He guessed he should have been cold. Before he could voice his consent to go inside, Genji had taken his wrist and begun pulling him toward the others.
[next]
Genji sat across from his brother, both of them equidistant from Zenyatta who sat facing the space between them. It'd taken some measure of convincing, but Hanzo had finally agreed to meditate with them after his injuries had been treated. His mood hadn't improved, by the looks of it. He wanted to ask him why he was so glum, but he knew it wasn't likely he'd tell him anything meaningful without some extensive prying, so he would just leave him to his brooding for the moment.
"I mean no offense to you, Monk," Hanzo grumbled, "but I do not see the point of this exercise. I know how to meditate, on my own."
"I told you, Brother!" Genji exclaimed, his exasperation coming to a peak, "you do not know how to meditate like this."
"To see glimpses of the spirit world and its unusual creatures?" the fire lord teased, "I'm sure I could learn if I purchased a bottle of cactus juice."
"I was not hallucinating. I would know the difference."
Hanzo scoffed. "Undoubtedly."
"I beg your pardon, my friends," Zenyatta interjected, finally, "this process will require your focus. If you would prefer to do this at a later time…"
"No," Hanzo sighed, shrugging, "I would prefer to get this taken care of now, if it will put the matter to rest."
Genji grinned, looking over at Zenyatta to nod. "Do you think you can help him?"
"Help me what?"
Zenyatta smiled serenely, tilting his head a little. "All I am capable of doing is showing one the nature of his spirit, to help him reach inner peace," he explained, "however, being at peace is the key to becoming a truly powerful bender. I would like to believe anything is possible."
"You believe I may overcome the witch's curse on my own?" the fire lord asked, his disbelief obvious.
"Perhaps, once you have been shown how."
Genji looked over at his brother expectantly, leaning forward a little as if to silently say 'just do it!' Hanzo raised an eyebrow at him, then shrugged and nodded his agreement. Zenyatta smiled again, retrieving his metal beads from their pouch.
[next]
Genji identified the moment his consciousness faded from the physical world easily, having experienced it before. He looked up to see Hanzo with the same confused expression he was sure he had on his face the first time he'd accepted Zenyatta's offer. Things were different around them than it had ever been when he was alone with the monk, the scenery no doubt being affected by the presence of an extra mind and spirit.
The darkness that usually occupied the space around him before he would choose a direction in his mind had been replaced by a serene garden that seemed to be decorated with a gentle mist that changed color depending on which cluster of flowers it hovered around. The blossoms were nothing like any Genji had ever seen before, clearly otherworldly in nature. He doubted either he or Hanzo had the imagination to think them up, thus causing him to turn and look at Zenyatta curiously. He gasped when he saw the monk's quadrilateral tattoo glowing blue, his eyes closed and body motionless…more than motionless. It was as if Zenyatta had been frozen in time. Shocked, he looked over at Hanzo, who had also noticed the worrisome change.
"What is happening, Genji?" he asked.
Genji shook his head slowly, starting to look around for answers. It was then he saw someone new. A man was making his way toward them, slowly through the garden. His feet seemed to float silently above the simulated ground, the mist parting as he passed. He was just over middle-aged, dressed in a loose yellow-tan robe with a full orange sash wrapped over one shoulder and tucked into a cloth belt. He seemed to be an airbender monk like Zenyatta, though he was more dignified in stance and bearing. His dot tattoos were arranged in the shape of a square turned on its corner.
"Welcome, sons of Fire Lord Sojiro," the man greeted them, attracting Hanzo's attention for the first time. He chuckled quietly. "Forgive me for startling you, your highness."
"Do you know him?" Genji whispered.
"Not personally," Hanzo replied, "he is Avatar Mondatta."
"Your education is very thorough if you have the knowledge to identify me on sight," the airbender noted, having overheard them despite the whispering.
"Aren't you supposed to be dead?" Genji asked in genuine curiosity, before recoiling, "are we dead!?"
The avatar laughed again, shaking his head. "You are very much alive, as is your friend Zenyatta," he assured them, answering Genji's next question before he could ask it.
"Then how are we in your presence?" Hanzo demanded, clearly not entirely convinced they were safe, "is this the spirit world?"
"This is a realm between," Mondatta replied calmly despite Hanzo's tone, "you may think of it as a room with a glass door that is always locked. You might catch glimpses of the world beyond the glass, but only the avatar may use the key and enter. The spirits have allowed me to create this place so Tekhartha Zenyatta could develop his gift, and eventually bring you to speak with me." He disappeared in a swirl of mist, then reappeared beside the frozen monk to gently place the tips of his fingers on his head, causing the blue glow of his tattoos to grow more intense for the brief moment the two air nomads made contact. "He is the most talented of the Shambali," he went on, "the one touched by Raava."
"Why?" Genji asked simply, looking between Mondatta and the equally perplexed Hanzo.
"And how did he know to bring us here?" his brother added, "I am not fond of being deceived."
"He was unaware of my guidance, as were you, Prince Genji," the avatar replied. Genji remembered his visions, and how they were the reason he'd wanted Hanzo to meditate with him. He didn't know if he felt special or violated…maybe a little of both. "I have wanted to speak to you directly, but my situation has prevented it," Mondatta explained, "with Raava's tie to the physical world severed and her power fading my own abilities have been hindered, even in the spirit world. I needed the most talented of my disciples to enable me."
He appeared closer to them, facing them at a more casually conversational distance. "As for why…because the fate of both worlds is in question. As is learned in the study of waterbending, everything must exist in a state of harmony, achieved by the presence of opposing forces. Just as light exists because of the dark, Raava exists because of Vaatu."
"I have heard of neither," Hanzo stated, his eyes slightly narrowed.
"Of course; my apologies…Raava is the spirit of light and peace, the spirit that became what you would know as the Avatar Spirit by fusing with a human agent in the physical world," Mondatta explained, holding a hand out to his left side, where a glowing blue light appeared. Slowly, it took the shape of a creature that looked like a mixture of a ray, fish and serpent. Its presence filled Genji's mind and soul with warmth, temporarily easing all of his worries…every worry.
Then, the avatar held out his other hand and another creature appeared, one that seemed to be created from emptiness itself, a shape that was a void, emanating no light at all. Its presence seemed to sap away the first's influence, causing him to feel as he had before. He realized he actually missed the worry, the thing that helped to keep him from danger. That realization alone was enough to help him understand what Mondatta was trying to tell them about the relationship between the two spirits before he had to vocalize his description of it.
"Vaatu is her contrast," Mondatta continued, "he is the spirit of chaos and darkness. They are in constant battle, and through the continuation of this battle harmony is maintained…but the battle has changed. By binding herself and creating the avatar Raava gained influence in the world of humanity, but she also created a weakness, one that has already been used against her. With the Avatar Cycle broken Raava is weak, and Vaatu only becomes stronger. You have already seen the consequences in unchecked war and hatred in your world…the spirits have noticed it in there's as well, but the worst is yet to come."
"Slow down," Hanzo ordered severely, shaking his head incredulously, "why have you brought this to us, of all people in our world? We are not avatars. We are descendants of a line of warlords, one that has on its own caused generations of 'war and hatred'."
Genji reached over to place a hand on Hanzo's shoulder, sensing he was becoming overwhelmed by the information being fed to him. "We can change that," he stated calmly.
Mondatta smiled, nodding once. "That is what I have counted on," he agreed, "I apologize if I have spoken too quickly, but my time is short. If you will indulge me further…"
Hanzo nodded back, warily.
The avatar took it as his consent, resuming his explanation, "you are two young men blessed with enormous power and influence. You are in the position to lead the world toward a lasting peace, and above all you have the desire to be more than what your ancestors have chosen to be. The other leaders of this world have closed their minds to alternate courses and I could sense they would not hear what I had to say. I had one chance to speak to someone of your world and you, sons of Sojiro, were my surest gamble."
The avatar allowed the two spirit images he'd produced to fade away. "You must allow Raava's power to grow by hindering that of Vaatu. Only when the time is right will the way be open for Raava to choose a new agent, and the Avatar Cycle must be restored before eighty-five years have passed or both worlds will be consumed by chaos." He chuckled quietly, shrugging one shoulder. "I realize what I say must sound impossibly outlandish to you. Years living among the spirits has changed my perception and understanding. Is there anything I must clarify?"
"How about everything?" Genji only half-joked, feeling a bit overwhelmed himself, "you are asking a lot from two people who don't even have their throne anymore. Our power and influence has been stolen, and even if it hadn't the world has no reason to listen to us."
"Then it must be made to listen," Hanzo muttered, his tone dire.
"I would not have chosen such harsh words…but you are fundamentally correct, your highness," Mondatta agreed, "the task I set before you is not easy, and may not always be achieved through peace alone. You mustn't become predators, but you cannot afford to be prey. I can only hope Zenyatta's guidance and that of your many allies who await you in the physical world will help you to achieve balance. Speak too quietly or too loudly and you will not be heard."
"But why the time limit?" Genji asked.
"It is not frivolous, if that is what you suspect," the airbender replied grimly, "it is a phenomenon that occurs regularly, the amplification of spirit energy caused by the alignment of cosmic bodies. The Harmonic Convergence. A true understanding of its nature would take more time to explain than we have…what you need to know is that this phenomenon will give Vaatu the chance to engulf all of existence in his darkness, and the avatar is needed to stop it. Raava can find a new agent, but only if she is strong enough on the anniversary of my death, during the spring of every year between then and now."
"There must be time to train the new avatar, as well," Genji assumed.
"An astute observation. To be honest, I am surprised you are both so willing to believe something many others would discount as pure fantasy."
Hanzo scoffed out a humorless chuckle. "I do not speak for my brother, but I have seen many things I once thought impossible since leaving my home. The criterion for what I find believable has been expanded."
Genji nodded his agreement, figuring they were both a little too far down the rabbit hole to complain, the dead avatar's presence alone suspending his disbelief. "But how do we even begin?" he asked, eager to begin thinking of their next course, "how does one simply…restore balance?"
"One step at a time, beginning with your own nation. The four nations exist to balance one another, and the failure of one will lead to the failure of all. Remember foremost: balance is key."
"Restore the Fire Throne," Genji concluded, to which Mondatta nodded his affirmative.
"We already knew we needed to retake the palace," Hanzo pointed out, "what we do not know is if we have the ability to do so."
"Are you too modest to ask me outright?"
Genji glanced over at his brother, trying to figure out what Mondatta seemed to already know. He didn't know exactly what Hanzo already had at his disposal before he'd asked for his help, and he'd been meaning to ask Jesse how he'd been caught up in everything, as well as who the others were. It seemed a group meeting was long overdue.
"Are you able to restore my bending?" Hanzo asked, proving he was not too modest, "I cannot begin to imagine accomplishing any of what you ask of us without it." Genji figured he probably should have seen that answer coming.
Mondatta nodded slowly, pleased. "You must be fire lord in all meanings of the title. I can provide only a spark from my power…you must build it to a blaze with your own." The avatar vanished again, then blinked into existence right in front of Hanzo. He stretched his hand out and pressed the pad of all five fingers to Hanzo's brow.
Genji's eyes flew open and he saw Angela on her knee leaning over him, concern all over her features. He knew he'd missed something, some step between seeing Mondatta touch Hanzo and waking up with her. Had what the avatar did sapped the last of his power in the realm between and banished them from it instantly? His thoughts immediately shifted to his friend.
"Is Zenyatta alright?" he asked quietly.
Angela's eyebrow peaked. "Yes, but that wouldn't have been my first question. You and your brother are the ones who've been unconscious for the past four hours."
Zenyatta was nearby, coming closer when he saw he'd awakened. "Are you well, Genji?" the monk asked, "I was concerned that I'd done something terribly wrong."
The waterbender helped him sit up, slowly when he was overtaken by dizziness. "What happened to you?"
Genji rubbed his eyes groggily and looked around to find Hanzo, just in time to see him sitting up while Commander Morrison hovered over him protectively. His brother met his gaze and they seemed to share their knowledge of the events before, confirming that they had not simply hallucinated the entire experience. He could see most of the others were watching them curiously, though they were thankfully keeping their distance to avoid a crowd. McCree's eyes seemed weirdly fixated on Hanzo, at least until he looked back, the earthbender's immediate reaction being to look away.
They were back in Master Ana's hut and the dimness of the light cast by the small fire pit suggested it was night again. It hadn't felt to him like four hours had passed, and he didn't know if that four hours had begun as soon as they began meditating or right after the image of the realm between vanished. Had Zenyatta been conscious and moving the entire time he'd looked frozen to them? He feared these were wonderings that would never be answered, mysteries he'd have to accept as unsolved.
"Genji?" Angela asked again.
Genji wanted to answer her, but wasn't sure what to say yet. There was one thing that had yet to be determined. Again, he looked toward his brother. Hanzo leaned himself against the wall closest to him and brought both hands up to hold them in front of his chest as if cupping an invisible bowl. He took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh, then took another as he steadied his breathing. Genji's heart pounded anxiously as he waited.
After what felt like an eternity a tiny flame puffed into existence between Hanzo's palms.
Genji grinned wide and he looked back at Angela. "We have a lot of work to do."