Chapter 45: Convergence of Destiny, Part 1
…
Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
-'You Are Loved', Josh Groban
…
Day of Sozin's Comet
"And the reason you've brought us to a seedy Earth Kingdom tavern is what now?" Katara asked, dubious, as they pushed open the door.
Zuko stopped and pointed. "June."
June the bounty hunter was sitting on a bench in the center of the main room with a drink in her hand and there was a ring of beefy men around looking to fight her. She took the first out with only her legs and then stood to deftly avoid the clumsy attack of another.
"Oh yeah, that weird bounty hunter with the giant mole," Sokka said.
"Mole?" Suki questioned. "Her skin is flawless."
"No, she has this giant mole creature she rides around on."
"A shirshu," Nami explained. "It's the only animal that can track Aang's scent anywhere in the world."
"It's the one shot we have at finding him," muttered Zuko.
To deal with the remaining man, June had to throw her drink up in the air to use both her arms to throw him into a wall. She caught her cup, drink and all, as it came back down and threw her head back to take a drink.
Toph laughed and smiled hugely. "I don't know who this June lady is, but I like 'er!"
"I remember her—she helped you attack us," Katara leveled at the prince.
"Yep," Zuko replied, smirking a little. "Back in the good ol' days."
Nami chuckled as they walked up to June and June nodded her head in greeting at Nami.
"Still with Prince Pouty, huh?" she commented.
"Can't seem to get rid of 'im," Nami replied, smirking. She clasped June's raised hand in a rough, friendly way.
"Get Gramps in here and it'll be like old times," June said in her sarcastic drawling way.
"He's my uncle and he's not here," Zuko replied in a hard voice.
"Alright, sheesh. So what d'you want?"
"We need your help to find the Avatar."
June rolled her eyes. "Y'know, I seem to recall helping you out with that once and it didn't work out to be too fun."
"Does the end of the world sound like more fun?!" Zuko exclaimed, at the end of his patience.
June could tell he wasn't screwing around and she reluctantly got up and they followed her outside. She took some meat from her pack and dangled it in front of her.
"Nila," she called the shirshu who was growling at Appa. She tossed it over and Nila snapped it up. Nami walked over and petted the animal.
"Careful," Zuko cautioned.
"I know."
The shirshu snuffled at her and she rubbed its head.
"Now who has something with the Avatar's scent on it?" June asked, her arms crossed.
"I have Aang's staff," Katara replied, climbing up on Appa to get it.
June held it in front of Nila and the shirshu began sniffing deeply—in the air, on the ground, walking in deliberate circles around them. Finally the animal lay down on its belly and pawed its nose, whimpering.
"Too many scents again?" Nami asked. June shook her head as she squatted to pat Nila's head.
"No. Nila can deal with a hundred different human scents at a time and still pick out the right one. This means your friend's gone."
"We know he's gone, that's why we're trying to find him," Toph replied.
"No, I mean he's gone," June said, standing. "He doesn't exist."
"What do you mean Aang doesn't exist?" Sokka repeated. "You mean he's…y'know…dead?"
"Nope. We could find him if he were dead. It's a real head-scratcher. See ya." She jumped on her beast.
"Helpful," Toph muttered. "Real helpful."
"Wait, I have another idea," Zuko said to June. "There's only one other person in the world who can help us face the Fire Lord. I'll be right back with a smell sample." He climbed up on Appa and dung in his pack. He came back down with one of Iroh's sandals.
"Eww…" whined Nami, knowing how Iroh's feet stank. Nila moved forward and smelled the shoe, then took one good whiff and pointed her head like a bloodhound does.
"Let's do this," June said, smacking Nila's side with her hand. They took off through the trees and the rest of the group scrambled onto Appa to follow her.
They traveled through the night until they reached the conquered wall of Ba Sing Se.
"Your uncle's somewhere beyond the wall," June said. "Nila's getting twitchy, so he can't be far. Good luck." She snapped the reins and was gone.
"It's been a long night," Zuko said. "Let's camp here." He and Nami stayed in Appa's saddle to sleep while Katara, Sokka, and Suki curled up on his tail and Toph made a stone tent for herself on the ground.
Too tired even to talk, Nami curled up in the prince's arms and fell right to sleep.
They slept for a few hours, then in the darkness Toph woke, feeling vibrations in the ground of people approaching. She lowered her stone tent as fire flared around them all. Nami and Zuko leapt immediately down from the basket, Nami hissing angrily. Fire encircled all of them and she hated being trapped.
The group stood back-to-back as four old men appeared over the rise of rocks.
"Well," one said, wearing Earth Kingdom garb and with tufts of white hair that made him look like a mad scientist. "Look who we have here."
Sokka and Katara smiled widely and immediately relaxed.
"Do we know these men?" Nami demanded, not lowering her defenses.
"What's going on?" Toph growled. "We're surrounded by old people."
"Not just any old people," Katara replied warmly. "These are great masters and friends of ours." She went up to an old Water Tribe man and bowed respectfully. "Pakku."
"It is respectful to bow to an old master," the man said, "but how about a hug for your new grandfather?"
Katara threw up her hands and sprang into Pakku's arms. "That's so exciting! You and Gran-Gran must be so happy to have found each other again!"
"I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything."
Sokka ran to give him a hug. "Welcome to the family, Gramp-Gramp!"
"You can still just call me Pakku," the old man said firmly, moving Sokka away from him.
Sokka was not to be discouraged. "How about…Grampakku?"
"No."
"And this was Aang's first firebending teacher," Katara introduced the next man to them.
"Jeong Jeong," the man said, bowing. He had spiky white hair, a cool goatee, handsome features and an athletic build.
Zuko and Nami bowed to him. Meanwhile, Sokka bowed to his sword master, Master Piandao, who looked to be the youngest man in the group.
"Sokka," the man greeted.
"So, wait," Suki said, confused. "How do you all know each other?"
"All old people know each other," the fourth old man replied. He had a crackly, crazy voice to match his eccentric appearance. "Don't you know that?" He snorted, laughing to himself. "I'm Bumi, by the way, newbies."
"We're all part of the same ancient secret society," Piandao explained. "A group that transcends the divisions of the four nations."
"The Order of the White Lotus," Nami and Zuko said together.
"That's the one!" Bumi exclaimed. He snorted with laughter again.
"The White Lotus has always been about philosophy," Jeong Jeong said. "And beauty and truth. About a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important."
"It came from a Grand Master," Pakku continued, looking at Zuko. "Your uncle. Iroh of the Fire Nation."
"He's here!" Nami exclaimed happily, catching Zuko's arm in hers.
"We'll take you to him," Piandao said.
"Wait!" exclaimed Bumi, shoving through Piandao and Jeong Jeong. "Someone's missing from your group! Someone very important!" He put his face in Sokka's. "Where's Momo?"
"He's gone," Sokka said, the proximity of the old man's face making him awkward. "And…so's Aang."
"Oh well! So long as they have each other!" He danced around for a moment and then stopped. "Let's go!" With an enormously powerful earthbending pound, he launched himself into the air from the jutting earth and away from them, cackling.
"I hope these people haven't affected Iroh psychologically," Nami muttered to the prince, who smirked. They headed into the city, following the old men. Eventually Bumi came back and walked with them.
"So Bumi," Sokka asked him, "how did you end up escaping your imprisonment in Omashu?"
"Escape?" he asked. "I didn't escape. Everybody else escaped. There I was, caged and immobile in Omashu, waiting for the right moment. Then I saw the eclipse and I thought 'That'll do it!' Without fire power, they were powerless to stop me from taking back my city and enjoying a little payback time!" He cackled again.
"Wow, you took back your whole city just by yourself!" Suki exclaimed.
"So what about you guys?" Bumi asked. "Did you do anything interesting on the day of the eclipse?"
The kids shared a glanced with each other.
"Nah," Zuko replied.
"Not really," added Sokka lightly.
Nami sniggered quietly as they came to an earth wall. Bumi lowered it and led them into a mass of tents.
"Well, here we are!" he said, gesturing around at all of it. "Welcome to old people camp!"
"Where…where is he?" Zuko asked quietly.
"Your uncle's in there, Prince Zuko," Piandao answered, pointing toward the center of the camp where a nicer tent structure was erected. Nami followed him as he slowly walked toward it and then stopped as if he couldn't go closer.
Nami put arm around him.
"He hates me, I know it," Zuko muttered, looking away from her. "He loved me and supported me in every way he could, and I still turned against him. How can I even face him, Nami?"
She took his hand in hers. "You're truly sorry for what you did. And he will forgive you. He will." She leaned forward to kiss his cheek.
He touched her chin with gentle fingers and then nodded. "Could I talk to him alone at first?" he asked.
"Of course."
He nodded, kissed her head in thanks, and Nami watched as he approached the tent entrance. He took a deep breath, then stepped inside. He came out a moment later with a small smile.
"He's sleeping," he murmured. "I'd like to wait for him to wake."
She nodded. "I'll find a tent to sleep in for the night. Find me afterward?"
The prince nodded and brought his hand to her neck to tilt her head and kiss her. They kissed deeply for a minute, then Nami pulled gently away and turned to find somewhere to sleep for the night. She got her pack off Appa and saw Jeong Jeong.
"Is there someplace I can sleep?" she asked.
The master nodded. "We have some extra tents already set up over this way."
"Thank you."
He led her to one and she set her pack on the floor, pulled out a blanket, and draped it over the low cot. She fished for a candle and a holder, lit it with a flick of her fingers, and placed it on the floor. She then pulled out the diary and lay on the cot to read it by candlelight.
She opened the crimson-bound diary toward the end and began reading on a page that began, I can hardly write for tears. So much has happened that I have not the time or heart to put any of it down until now. Iroh has been laying siege to the city of Ba Sing Se as he has been for the past year—almost two years—and yesterday I received the message that Lu Ten, my beloved nephew, was killed in battle.
I cannot even begin to convey Iroh's grief, loss, and heartbreak. Lu Ten was all he had in life. He was Iroh's joy and anchor. Losing one's child is the worst thing that could ever happen to a parent; I can scarcely imagine losing either of my children, and so I cannot begin to imagine the pain Iroh is going through.
Ozai and I do not speak often and we have not talked of it, but he does not look saddened by the news and it sickens me. How can he be so cold as to not grieve the death of his nephew or his own brother's loss? Azula too seemed unshaken when I told her and her brother the heartbreaking news. Zuko, however, was very taken aback. He is still a bit too young to fully understand what a loss death is, and I do not think he has really quite comprehended that he will never see his cousin again. But he did understand how sad a thing it is and how Iroh was hurt by it. I need his good heart in my life or sometimes I think I would become just as cold as my husband.
Later—
We received news late this evening that Iroh was abandoning his siege of the Earth Kingdom capital. I expected him to have to stop his war efforts to give himself time to work through his grief, but it seems a shock to Ozai and Azula. Can they truly all be so uncompassionate? There is no empathy in Ozai's eyes. Zuko told me Azula told him that Iroh 'was not a real general' because he 'lost the battle and came home crying'.
She hopes openly for her Grandfather Azulon to pass on and someone else to take his place. It is disgusting for a granddaughter to wish for her own grandfather's death! I know Azulon has never been warm or kind to the children, but it still seems terribly heartless of her. I know both she and her father wish for Ozai to become the next Fire Lord. And now with Iroh's line ended…it seems a real possibility for Azulon to choose to pass the crown to his younger son instead of his older. It would be a cruel blow to Iroh, but in this family I've stopped disbelieving in how cold people can be.
I don't want Ozai to become Fire Lord. Truly, it frightens me. Ozai has grown so cold with just this amount of power; what will happen to him—to us—if he were to become Fire Lord? Would it destroy this family even more? Being the wife of a prince is more than enough. I never expected even to be here. And now…Fire Lady? No. It may be what Ozai and Azula want, but their empty lust for power could only bring a further blow to my family. I don't know if I can even call us a family anymore, and if Ozai becomes Fire Lord? My children would never see their father. Azula would get everything she wanted from then on—I would not be able to curb it. Getting what they want would destroy both of them.
Ozai has grown so cold. I do not know how to cross the chasm between us. That rift of words unspoken and unmet expectations. But he has always protected us, and he promised me he would always keep this family safe.
I do not think it is not the destiny of our family to fold up like this in cold ambition. I always dreamt of my and Ozai's life together. It began so well, but somehow it came to be here. I never thought this would be my destiny—or that it would be the destiny of my family. I thought… But I suppose destiny is never ours to control. We can try and manipulate and change and make decisions that we think will shape it, but in the end, destiny has its own way of unraveling.
The diary slipped from Nami's fingers as her heavy lids closed.
She knocked on the door of her husband's study. There were tears her on her cheeks and she was afraid of what was happening to her family. There must be some way she could heal this. If she just talked to him… He would make everything alright. He'd promised. He'd promised…
Zuko opened the door. He was so different. He changed every day it seemed. He'd grown taller, colder. His eyes were ice. Unforgiving golden gems. He was not happy about being disturbed and there was a frightening glint in his eye. What was going on?
"Zuko. Zuko, please, I must speak to you." She went past him into his study. "Zuko, I'm losing my family. I don't know you anymore. Every day you move further away from me. We don't laugh, we don't talk. You don't watch your children play. You don't read to them or lift them onto your shoulders. You don't touch me anymore. Something is changing you. It's hurting your family, Zuko, and you told me you would always keep your family safe. What's going on? What are you doing that's doing this to us? I love you. If you love me, you will do what's best for your family."
"I am, Namura ," he replied. She didn't know his voice. It was too deep, too cold. "I'm helping us all to rise." He grasped her upper arm. A little too hard. It hurt, but she didn't make a sound as he moved her against the wall to speak to her in a low voice.
"We will become the most powerful family in the Fire Nation. All I need to do is kill Iroh."
"No! Zuko—"
"Quiet! Tonight I will wait until he is asleep and then it will be done. I am next in line. I will be Fire Lord and my son after me."
"I don't want you to be Fire Lord! I don't want to be Fire Lady! Gods—please! Don't hurt Iroh! Don't you understand? Becoming Fire Lord will destroy you!"
"You are a traitor and a liar!" he snarled, gripping her arm even tighter, and this time she cried out. "You just want to keep me from what is rightfully mine! And you will be punished. For your treachery, you must be the one to murder Iroh yourself. Or I will kill our son."
"NO!" Nami screamed, seizing awake and jerking upright in the bed. She stared around her, trying to get her bearings back. She took heaving breaths. She was sweaty and roasting under her blankets. Pushing them aside with shaking hands, she looked down at the candle still burning beside the cot. She put it out with a swift wave of her hand and sat slowly back down in the darkness.
The dream had been far too real. Feeling sick to her stomach, she squeezed her eyes shut. Her shaking hands eventually stilled and her stomach settled again, but the fear that had settled in her gut did not dissipate as she slipped back into sleep.
…
Prince Zuko sat cross-legged all through the rest of the night, waiting for his uncle to awaken. The old man's snores kept him awake as he ran through what he wanted to say to him.
He missed Nami. He wished she could be waiting with him, but he knew he wanted to talk to Iroh alone when he woke, and also she needed her rest.
He hoped she wasn't having another nightmare. He cringed at the thought. The nightmare she had gone through last night had been horrible, he could tell. She had never looked so afraid, so shaken. He didn't think he would ever forget that panic on her face when she had opened her eyes to see him. And then she'd recoiled from him. He must have…he must have reminded her of Ozai at first glance and that's what had produced the reaction. Zuko rubbed his face with his hand. The things he was dragging her through… She was terrified. She probably would have run full speed away from this battle if she wasn't tied to him. He was dragging her into danger and he hated himself for it.
She'd looked so afraid… It was wrong, so wrong. He was supposed to keep her safe, not put her life in danger. But would she stay behind while he fought? Never. She had made that clear already. It was no use upsetting her by suggesting it.
He felt the urge to find her and make sure she was alright. He didn't want her sleeping alone, without his arms around her letting her know she's safe. If she woke crying again, calling out, he wouldn't be there.
Zuko almost stood, but then made himself stay. She was a strong woman. He knew that. She would be alright, even if it pained him to let her sleep alone. He had to reconcile with Iroh. Then he could keep her in his arms.
He sighed, remembering the cold sweat on her body, her tear streaks, and her anguished cry in the night before she'd awoken. He wished she had talked to him more about it. He wanted nothing more than to destroy the causes of her fear. Reassuring her that he would take care of her didn't seem to be enough. Why not? Why didn't she believe that he would stand between her and hell? Between her and any pain the world could inflict? Didn't she understand how much he truly loved her?
The prince ran his hand through his hair. This was a difficult time for everyone. There would be plenty of time to show her his love after the war was over, he would make sure of that. For right now, he just had to accept her doubts. They would have time…later.
As the night waned, Prince Zuko waited. As dawn lit the tent, he waited. And finally he lifted his head when his uncle stirred. Iroh sat up and stretched, his back to his nephew. He glanced sideways slightly, then away, and Zuko knew he knew he was there.
"Uncle," Zuko began in a low voice, "I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me. But I want you to know that I am so, so sorry, Uncle." Tears coming suddenly made his voice thick. "I am sorry and ashamed of what I did. I don't know how I can ever make it up to you, bu—"
Zuko's voice cut off when Iroh's fist grabbed his collar and pulled him into a tight embrace. The prince felt his uncle's tears drop onto the back of his shirt.
"How can you forgive me so easily?" he choked. "I thought you would be furious with me…"
"I was never angry with you," Iroh said, keeping Zuko in his arms. "I was sad because I was afraid you had lost your way."
"I did lose my way," he whispered.
"But you found it again. And you did it by yourself. You healed the pain you'd inflicted on those you loved. You found humility, strength, and a new purpose. Now you've found your way here and I am so proud of you."
"It wasn't that hard, Uncle," Zuko muttered. "You have a pretty strong scent."
Iroh chuckled.
"Where is Nami?" he asked, standing up.
"I can go get her," Zuko said. Iroh nodded and Zuko left the tent. He walked out and saw Namura and Suki helping some of the people in camp prepare jook for breakfast. As he walked toward her, she saw him, and when a happy smile broke over his face, she ran and threw her arms around him.
Zuko hugged her to him tightly.
"I told you," she said, smiling.
He nodded. Nami reached up her hand and wiped under one of his eyes with her thumb where the wetness of tears still lingered. Her eyes deepened with emotion and she put her hands on either side of his face to kiss him.
"Nami!"
Nami whirled to see Iroh walking toward them. She shrieked happily and took off toward him. "Iroh!" she cried, throwing her arms around him. "It's so good to see you! You look great!"
"I worked off a little weight," the old man replied, chuckling. "But I plan to put it back on after all this excitement is over."
Nami laughed delightedly and bounced on the balls of her feet. Iroh took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead soundly.
"You look well too, my dear, though a little tired. How have you been?"
Nami took a moment before answering. "Alright," she replied after a beat.
Iroh looked at her knowingly and nodded. "There is a lot going on right now. But it will soon be over one way or another. Sozin's Comet comes today."
"Yes…today." She looked pale.
Zuko came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle. "We'll be alright."
"That's right!" Toph agreed, punching Iroh playfully. "We kick ass!"
An old man shuffling by "ahem"ed at her.
"Sorry," she corrected, "we kick batooty! Ooh! Breakfast time!" She scampered off to the breakfast circle.
"She's in high spirits," Nami remarked, taking Iroh's arm and following her. They all helped themselves to a bowl of jook and sat in a circle on the grass.
"Uncle, you're the only person other than the Avatar who can possibly defeat the Father Lord," said Zuko as they ate.
Nami looked up at him. Bit of a Freudian slip there…
"You mean the Fire Lord," Toph corrected him.
"That's what I just said," Zuko snapped. He looked back at Iroh. "We need you to come with us."
"No, Zuko," Iroh sighed. "It won't turn out well."
"You can beat him. And we'll be there to help."
"Even if I did defeat Ozai," Iroh argued gently, "—and I don't know if I could—it would be the wrong way to win the war. History will see it as just more senseless violence. A brother killing a brother to grab power. The only way for this war to end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the Fire Lord."
"And then will you come and take your rightful place on the throne?"
"No," Iroh replied firmly, and Zuko and Nami stared at him. "Someone new must take the throne. An idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor. It has to be you, Prince Zuko."
Nami sucked in her breath sharply, but only Toph heard it. She cocked her head toward her and felt Nami's heart rate jump, her blood race. She was…frightened. There was no other word for it. She was dreading Zuko taking the throne?
"Unquestionable honor," Zuko repeated. "But…I've made so many mistakes."
"Yes, you have. You struggled, you suffered. But you have always been able to find your own path. You restored your own honor. And only you can restore the honor of the Fire Nation."
"I…I'll try, Uncle," Zuko replied softly.
Iroh looked at Nami and saw her pallid face, her eyes on the ground, her chest rising and falling shallowly. There was fear and trepidation in her eyes. But she said nothing and kept it from the prince's notice.
"But what if Aang doesn't come back?" Toph asked.
"Sozin's Comet is arriving and our destinies are upon us," replied Iroh in a steady, solemn voice. "Aang will face the Fire Lord. When I was a boy, I had a vision that I would one day take Ba Sing Se. Only now do I see that my destiny is to take it back from the Fire Nation so the Earth Kingdom can be free again."
"That's why you gathered the members of the White Lotus," said Suki.
"Yes." The old man looked to his nephew. "Zuko. You must return to the Fire Nation so that when the Fire Lord falls, you can assume the throne and restore peace and order. But Azula will be there. Waiting for you."
"I can handle Azula," Zuko growled.
"Not alone," Iroh growled back.
Zuko smiled slightly and took up Nami's hand in his. "Not alone," he agreed.
Nami looked up at him and her eyes tightened. We might need more help. She glanced around the circle and her gaze stopped on Katara. "Katara," she said, "I think we both have some unfinished business with the Ice Princess. Zuko and I would appreciate all the help we can get. Would you come with us?"
Katara stared at Nami for a few moments as everyone stared between them, shocked—including the prince. Then Katara nodded at Nami once, her expression loosening. "I would like the opportunity to help defeat her. And it might take all of us."
Nami nodded. She looked back down at her breakfast, ignoring the prince's eyes on her.
"What about us?" Sokka asked. "What's our destiny thingy?"
"What do you think it is?" asked Iroh.
"I think…" Sokka said slowly, "that even though we don't know where Aang is, we need to do everything we can to stop the airship fleet."
"That means that when Aang does face the Fire Lord, we'll be right there is he needs us," Toph said, smacking her fist into her hand.
Immediately, everyone made plans to leave. Nami said nothing as she repacked in her tent, Zuko standing beside her. He didn't seem to notice her silence; he was absorbed in thoughts of his own.
When she was packed, Nami slipped away to find Iroh where he was sitting by the main fire having some bread he had cooked over the flames. She sat close beside him. Seeing her expression, Iroh put a heavy arm around her.
"What is wrong?" he asked.
Her face spasmed in misery, all the lines of it pulled taut. "How—how can you not know what's wrong? If Zuko—if he's the Fire Lord, I can't stay with him."
"What are you talking about?" he admonished gently. "It will be alright."
"How can you—how can you say that? You know that someone—someone like me can't…"
"Someone like you?" He was frowning. "And who are you?"
"Iroh…"
"Someone brave and smart?"
"Iroh, you—"
"Someone strong and beautiful and who two people in the royal family care deeply about?"
She looked away. He was not making her feel better. He just was refusing to hear her.
"Namura, listen to this old man. It will be alright. Trust in that. It will be alright."
She was still looking away. An Earth Kingdom mother tells her children the same right before their house is bombed to rubble, with no survivors. A doctor tells a man bleeding to death without hope of a staunch the same words. The prayer gamblers pray before they lose, an assurance people tell each other even though there might be no proof, or hope, or reason. 'It will be alright.' It was a sort of delusion. Mad, blind optimism. Idiocy.
She walked back to the packed tent and waited, eyes far away, until everyone else was ready.
As Sokka, Suki, and Toph mounted a giant eelhound of Piandao's on which they would ride to the airship base on an island off the Kingdom shore, Nami and Katara packed Appa and climbed up into the basket themselves. Zuko swung himself up behind Appa's shoulders in the seat with the reins.
"So, if I'm going to be…Fire Lord after the war's over," Zuko said to Iroh before they left, "what're you going to do?"
"After I reconquer Ba Sing Se, I'm going to reconquer my tea shop," he answered, grinning. "And I'm going to play Pai Sho every day." He smiled so happily that Zuko couldn't doubt that that was really what his uncle wanted.
The prince, Nami, and Katara looked over at Sokka, Suki, and Toph. Sokka nodded solemnly.
"Goodbye, everyone," Iroh said. "Today destiny is our friend. I know it."
Nami stared out at the land falling away from them as the bison took to the sky. Destiny, she repeated in her head, Ursa's voice in her ears. Destiny has its own way of unraveling.
