The Hidden Airbender

by GeraldAi

After the Fire Nation had invaded the Southern Air Temple, they had thought there were no survivors. But they were wrong. Hidden away in the deepest part of the Temple was Hao, a baby then. When Fire Nation soldiers attacked, without protection one would have thought she impossible to survive, but with the power of the spirits, she was sent to the Spirit World.

The bright flashes of fire lit up the sky, tainting the serenity with its horrifying screeches. People's screams were drowned out by the loud battle cries. No one had expected the fire nation to reach the Southern Air Temple, but here they were, setting the historic footprint of the Air Nomads on fire. Men, women, and children had run out of their homes and onto the streets where they were met with thousands of fire national soldiers. Flying bison and lemurs flew around causing a stir in the wind.

Rain began to fall, but this did not stop the flames. The Air Nomads flew around, gaining advantages in the air as their enemy's battalion marched onward into their territory. But, it was all for naught. The storm worsened disabling the Air Nomads from flying freely. The fire nation won their advantage, and one by one every single person, bison, and lemur that lived in the Southern Air Temple—had died.

Or so they thought.

As the avatar rode off on his flying bison and left his people, a young woman had stayed hidden within the temple walls. She was hidden inside the most spiritual room of the temple, the room filled with statues of the previous avatar reincarnations. She had hoped staying in this room would increase her chances of safety, for both her—and the little child she held in her arms.

"Shhh. Hoa, you must be quiet." The child was crying. The temple shook as fireballs continued to hit it. "Oh, spirits!" The woman cried out. "I do not care for my life, but please. Oh just please!" She began to cry, the tears wet and falling onto the child's face. "Please do not let them take my child!" She looks up at the ceiling in hopes for a response, "Let my child live for another day! Notus! Spirit of Wind! Take care of my child, I swear my blood on it!" As the woman continued to cry out, she heard footsteps approaching the chamber. She quickly wipes her tears, and safely stows the baby away deep within the room, hidden from sight.

"You there!" The fire nation soldier yelled quickly firing a fireball towards her. She quickly runs towards it, puffing a powerful gust of air, blowing out the fireball and throwing the soldier out of the chamber. Be safe my child. May the spirits protect you. A tear falls down her face, as she continues to fight the soldier. More soldiers appear and her fate is set.

They approach the room. "Anyone else we forgot?" They say, almost growling. Hao, distressed by her mother's absence begins to shift. The soldiers turn their heads towards the sound and approach it in the room. "It's futile to hide. Come on out."

Silence.

"Well. You've left us with no choice." The soldiers nod at each other, in affirmation. With a powerful stomp, the soldiers set the room temporary ablaze, attacking each corner in every nook and cranny of the room.

"It's finished."