Book 2: Water

Chapter 17: The Northern Water Tribe

Bu'Keng, Gongzhu, Qiangda Kingdom

The skies were clouded, it was a gray and gloomy day the fog settled onto the waters of the Qin Tributary as the ferry crossed the large body of water. Kimaru slept on a chair his arms rested on top of his stomach while his face was covered by his conical straw hat. The thunderous sound of the ferry's horn echoed throughout the harbor of Bu'Keng. There in the distance stood a large tower with a bonfire the helmsman knew the harbor was close.

Tons of the passengers were abruptly awakened by the horn of the ferry. A bell sounded as soon after the ferry anchored in Qiangda Kingdom waters. Another checkpoint was located near the exit of the docks Kimaru rubbed his eyes a line of travelers waited to get off the ship. That same line immediately joined others by the military checkpoint.

In several minutes Kimaru spaced out until "Papers please," was repeated twice. The soldier snapped his fingers in front of Kimaru's eyes to get his attention. He shook his head and eyed the guard in front of him.

"Sir can I see your identification papers, please or I'm going to ask you to step aside," the soldier repeated.

"Sorry I spaced out," Kimaru apologized, he reached into his pockets and pulled out the papers from the merchant Palartok and Senlin killed and handed it to the soldier.

The soldier revised the identification papers and bowed to Kimaru, "Welcome to the Qiangda Kingdom."

Kimaru bowed in return and passed the checkpoint without any complications. His next order of business was to find an ostrich horse or another boat that could take him to Kunlun City. He had everything he needed as far as equipment and the scroll that he carried with the forged signature of the Chief of the Northern Water Tribe.

Two Weeks Later

The skies reached a low temperature as Shen soared through the air the climate became colder. The water down below had icebergs big and small sporadically around its waters. In the distance, Unaraq peered and could see a large snowy landmass. They approached the landmass at a rapid pace he believed in ten to twenty minutes they would have arrived.

Tanaraq held her knees close to her chest to keep herself warmed up it had been a while since she's been in either one of the poles. She wasn't used to the sudden drop in temperature after being exposed to the heat of the sun for three months. Aloi sat across from Tanaraq she distracted herself during the ride from Jun Lao in the Bai Da province to Aupaluk. She played with whisks of air while she rested on the saddle's bottom while her neck rested on the wall of the saddle. She maintained the heat of her body temperature as soon as they reached northern waters. The only one who didn't have that natural affinity of the cold was Unaraq. While he grew up in the South Pole he still had to cover himself up with thicker clothing.

Shen roared to let everyone on his back know they arrived the roar of a dragon echoed in the northern skies of the capital of the Northern Water Tribe. The guards along the walls to the left and right of the harbor peered above the clouds and squinted their eyes to make out a long red dragon who flew directly toward them.

The dockworkers looked up as well a few were terrified, one of them notified a guard, "What is that?" he asked.

"Its a dragon," the guard said as he tried to calm the dockworker down.

"We don't have those here do we?" wondered the man still terrified.

"No, not that I know of, I can assure you it will not attack us," assured the guard.

"Wait I know that dragon!" another said.

"That's the Avatar's dragon!" the man shouted to people who worked on around him.

"How do you know the Avatar is riding a dragon?" the guard inquired.

"I'm a traveling merchant I've seen the Avatar and his beast at a distance sometime last year! He's from the Fire Nation," the merchant explained.

The harbor contained about twenty docks some with boats and ships near it. To the far right of the harbor was a boardwalk filled with citizens and tourists from other parts of the world. This area had restaurants and other oddities that pleased those who visited the North Pole. Near the harbor were what Unaraq identified as royal guards who waited with carriages for their arrival.

"Land down there! I can see the royal guards!" Unaraq told Rong Yan, Shen had been steered down near the harbor of the capital. The dragon landed near the squad of royal guards and the two carriage beside them. The guards stepped forward and they knelt before Rong Yan the head of the men spoke, "Chief Cupun and Prince Tulok welcome you to Aupaluk, Avatar Rong Yan."

"Thank you for the welcoming, I brought the prince his bride-to-be Princess Tanaraq of Iqaluit as per the request of Chief Unirak of the South, her father," Rong Yan told the captain of the royal guards.

"Aye, Chief Cupun had received word of your arrival from Chief Unirak we were told to wait here for your arrival every morning until you came. Please allow us to escort you and your companions to the palace while we have others take your dragon to the royal stables," offered the captain.

Rong Yan and his friends nodded a warrior opened a carriage and took Tanaraq by the hand while she climbed up into the carriage. Unaraq climbed into the same one while Aloi and Rong Yan followed behind in the second carriage. Shen was taken by a few guards toward the palace as well one of the men grabbed ahold of his reins.

The ride throughout the city of Aupaluk was a lengthy one the squad of royal guards surrounded the front and the rear of the two carriages they escorted. After about three hours they finally reached the top-tier of Aupaluk where most of the nobles and government officials resided in. At the end of the top-tier was the massive palace of the Northern Water Tribe.

The palace's design mimicked that of the tiered pyramid of the ancient Sun Warriors of the Fire Nation. A large staircase led up to the front entrance, bordered on both sides were decorative pillars. A pool of water and many artificially designed waterfalls surrounded the building, which gave it a unique ambiance.

The liquid for this system is supplied by the various pipelines that poured water into the pools directly below the temple. During special events after nightfall, the interior of the temple is lit up, so that light shined through the front entrance and the central windows up to the top floor of the structure. The interior of the building is intricately designed, it featured a decorative arch with four pillars, two cauldron-shaped ice sculptures, carvings of Water Tribe symbols, a rug adorned with the insignia of the nation, and an artificial waterfall behind the arch.

The courtyard was spacious where the residents of the tribe gathered to visit the palace, and got sight of the Royal Family members. To the far right of the courtyard sat the dining area which was a large area outside the palace. It was used for community feasts during festivals such as the New Year or Spring Equinox holidays. The meals are boiled in a hot source located at the center of the area, and the people are seated in rising rows to the side. The most important guests and attendees are seated on the table of honor. While the others who flanked them on either side were government officials. Opposite the table of honor was a stage on which shows were performed.

To the far left was the large royal stables where the Royal Family's mounts and animals of burden were kept and groomed by the royal stablemaster and his stable hands. Some pens and paddocks held a varied amount of exotic beasts. The carriages arrived near the stables Tanaraq observed out the window another squad of guards arrived and surrounded a figure. Her stomach filled with a dozen buttermoths she thought it was her husband-to-be.

Her carriage door opened up a guard woke up Unaraq who snored while his saliva crawled down his chin. He felt embarrassed and wiped it with the sleeve of his parka he got out and extended his hand to Tanaraq and assisted his sister out of the carriage. She was no longer dirty either as she found to her liking after the three months she spent with Rong Yan while they traveled to the North Pole. She was pretty clean her robes were hand-washed by herself which she didn't like doing but no one else did it for her.

She inhaled the cold air of the North Pole and sighed with relief the group of guards halted in front of the Prince and Princess of the South. The men separated in the front to reveal the governmental figure of Aupaluk, the Chief of the North. Everyone except for the royal guards knelt before the chief, this man was middle-aged with a few wrinkles here and there.

His skin was light brown a scar began from the bridge of his nose down his right cheek and ended at the bottom of his jaw. His eyes were cyan-colored, his hair was black and nicely groomed two braids sat on each side of his head. His face was thin and gaunt, cheekbones protruded on his face, his eyebrows were thin and arched. He wore lavish and expensive robes made from a walrus bear's fur and dyed blue.

"You may all rise," said Cupun.

He placed his arms behind his back while he waited for everyone to rise to their feet. Tanaraq rose her chin up to see her future father-in-law dead in the eye, she rose to her feet.

"Chief Cupun it is an honor to be in your presence," she bowed.

"It is good to see you again, child..." he paused "...and your brother as well," he finished.

"I am sure you've been eager to see my son again. Last you two had seen each other was a few years," Cupun mentioned.

She nodded and smiled, "Yes its been a while since I've seen Tulok I've yet to see his face too." Cupun glimpsed at the man behind Tanaraq and Unaraq he excused himself from the royals and stepped toward the Avatar himself, "You must be Avatar Rong Yan of the Fire Nation, the one who escorted my future daughter-in-law to the North?"

Rong Yan bowed to Chief Cupun, "It was my pleasure, Chief Cupun."

"I'm sure you long to get real waterbending training from Master Naartok, you will meet him soon," Cupun said.

He turned his attention to the Air Nomad nun he questioned her, "And you are?" Aloi bowed to her elder as such was the respect, "I am Aloi, I hail from the Sum Pa Air Temple, airbending master of Avatar Rong Yan."

"It has been quite some time since I've seen an airbender in my city, welcome," Cupun welcomed her he paced back toward Tanaraq and Unaraq, "Come I will show you to your rooms and then I would like to talk to everyone." The guards surrounded Cupun again while others stationed by the stables followed behind and escorted Team Avatar inside the palace.

They were led to their guest bedrooms in the palace for the time being. These rooms were very large and luxurious and reflected the royal status of its occupants. The rooms, like the other buildings of the tribe, were made out of ice. However, wooden furniture, such as drawers and bed frames, decorations, such as spears and swords, flags, tapestries, and rugs on the floor can be added to contrast the cold that came from the ice.

The guest corridor was on the opposite side of the royals' corridor which held the chambers of Chief Cupun and Prince Tulok. Chief Cupun then led them to the throne room, which was intricately designed. This was where Chief Cupun and his advisers made decisions. The throne sat at the far end of the wall and behind that was carved the insignia of the Northern Water Tribe. On the left and right walls of the throne were masks carved of each Tribal deity that both the North and South worshipped, they believed each one watched over the tribe.

Cupun sat on his throne and got comfortable while Team Avatar stood in front of his throne. The guards stood stationary and waited for the meeting to end. Then Cupun had begun the meeting, "Please Avatar you must regale me about your travels on your way here to the North."

"We traveled throughout most of the Oma Kingdom before coming here after we met a soundbender and helped him out we came straight here. Only making pitstops at capitals of the Qiangda Kingdom the very last being Jun Lao," summarized Rong Yan.

"Tell me what happened at the Jongmu Air Temple, I only know what I've been told," requested Cupun.

"General Senlin, Admiral Palartok, and Lieutenant Arluq and their forces attacked the Jongmu Air Temple, while we won we lost a good amount of monks. I entered the Avatar State and blew them off a mountain. General Senlin and his allies are dead," Rong Yan recalled.

"General Senlin and Admiral Palartok are very much alive, Avatar," Cupun disclosed to Rong Yan and his friends each one gasped at the news. Rong Yan shook his head, "No..no...no how did he survive? How could he? No bender could survive that fall only an airbender."

"Rumors make their way up to the palace. I only know he survived and has been reported in the Gansu province of the northern Oma Kingdom," added Cupun.

Rong Yan was shocked and distraught at the news he thought it was over, he thought Senlin was dead. The old fear that he overcame after he blew Senlin off the mountain slowly crept back inside of him. He stood there for a few seconds, Unaraq shook him, "Rong Yan are you alright?" he wondered with concern.

"We are not aware of his intentions only that he had been captured and later escaped his captors after he murdered them. There was no sight of the other two," said Cupun.

"Who are the others?" asked Unaraq.

"Admiral Palartok and a wanted criminal from Aupaluk," answered Cupun. While Rong Yan was in disbelief of the news Unaraq asked the questions for him while he processed everything. Tanaraq and Unaraq never encountered Senlin but from the stories told by Rong Yan and Aloi they understood the power he wielded.

Aloi frowned she felt Rong Yan's fear of Senlin she waited for the right moment to speak with Cupun after Unaraq finished she spoke up, "Chief Cupun do you mind if the Avatar uses your kashim to contact his past lives?" Cupun nodded to her request, "Yes he may."

"If he hasn't come after you after a year and a half I believe he may be up to something. My armies are at your disposal, Avatar Rong Yan," Cupun informed him he hoped it would have given Rong Yan some confidence.

"This other man you mentioned, the wanted criminal who is he?" Tanaraq asked for further information.

"His name is Kimaru, he awaited trial for the murder of his wife and her lover. He escaped while under community service and fled to what we believe was the Fire Nation until the sighting reported he was in the state of Gansu traveling with Senlin and Palartok," responded Cupun.

Rong Yan came to his senses the fear overwashed him as he thought of what Kwan Chun told him. He used that to remember that even Kwan Chun feared his greatest foe. He then questioned Tanaraq, "How does the Avatar's waterbending training fare?"

"I was only teaching him the basics but we got caught up and distracted by other things. Like fighting off a bender of the Forbidden Art, we stopped in the town of Nuo Ju in the Shiwei province where there were barely any sources of water," she replied.

"You fought a bender of the Forbidden Art? He's dead I hope," he wondered and then guessed the bloodbender's fate.

"Yes, chief. He's dead, it was our first time learning of such a horrid bending form," Tanaraq said.

"One of the members of my fishing crew was a bender of the Forbidden Art, he practiced his form under our noses and revealed his secret when we went looking for him and Rong Yan. We fought him hard and in the end, Rong Yan killed him," Unaraq reported.

"...that's creepy," a young voice echoed from the left hall outside of the throne room. Chief Cupun sighed, "I apologize Avatar, it seems my son is eavesdropping on our meeting here."

"Tulok you may enter the throne room," said Cupun.

An average height, olive-skinned man entered the throne room. He was nicely built, broad shoulders, puffed chest, toned arms he wore a sleeveless parka, and light purple pants. He bowed before his father then his guests to the far right of the room he caught the eye of the most beautiful woman. Tanaraq and Tulok locked eyes she didn't compose herself it had been a few years since she's seen the strong edged structure and shiny complexion of his face.

She ran over and he caught Tanaraq and spun her around as he embraced her. Tears departed from her eyes, Tulok wiped her eyes and gave her a welcomed affectionate kiss. They embraced again she whispered in his ear, "I missed you."

"Avatar Rong Yan, you may use my kashim as soon as you are able. When you are done communicating with your past lives come see me again I will have my guards escort you to the Southern Water Tribe embassy here in the city where Master Naartok awaits for your arrival," smiled Cupun.

Rong Yan bowed to Cupun, "Thank you, Chief Cupun."

The meeting ended between Team Avatar and Chief Cupun, the chief whispered to a nearby guard. The guard nodded and walked up to Rong Yan and Aloi, "By order of Chief Cupun I am to lead you to the kashim." Rong Yan nodded and then Aloi followed behind the guard that led Rong Yan to the spiritual area where he could speak to his past lives.

Tanaraq and Tulok held hands in front of Unaraq and Cupun, both were happy for the two have reunited. The wedding will go well they both thought, Tulok held his bride-to-be in his arms they both smiled at each other.

"Father I will take Tanaraq out for the day, we need to catch up on all the years we haven't seen each other," Tulok told his father as he turned to face him.

"That is fine, son. Go to the barracks and tell Kungo to send you a squad of men by your side," nodded Cupun.

Chief Cupun turned his attention to Unaraq who stood there now because he didn't do where to go, "You mentioned you were also a fisherman, yes?" inquired Cupun. Unaraq nodded.

"You may join me if you'd like, there are pools here near the palace where fish inhabit the waters. It is my favorite pastime," Cupun offered.

"Thank you for the offer, Chief. I will gladly join you," responded Unaraq.

Rong Yan and Aloi entered the kashim while the guard remained outside. He gave the Avatar and his airbending master the privacy they needed to commune with spirits. The kashim looked similar in decorations to that of Chief Unirak.

There were a few key differences however, one of the differences being that Chief Cupun had a tapestry of Torngark inside. The South didn't worship Torngark the Demon God of Trickery although the North had a day of pranks near the Spring Equinox.

Aloi pulled out her prayer beads and began to pray to the Air Nomadic gods while Rong Yan sat nomad style beside her. He focused his energies and cleared his head while he summoned Avatar Ku Tei, the short Earth Kingdom general sat across from his successor.

"Rong Yan it is good to see you," smiled Ku Tei.

"I have grave news," Rong Yan responded.

"General Senlin survived the siege of the Jongmu Air Temple, we believed when Kwan Chun manifested himself and blew the rebels off the mountain. That Senlin would die alongside all of the rebels who supported him," summarized Rong Yan.

"How could that be?" gasped Ku Tei.

"I don't know, but Senlin was captured in the Gansu province according to reports that Chief Cupun had received from Northerners who traveled to the Oma Kingdom. They're not sure where he's headed now but I don't like the idea of him still being around," replied Rong Yan.

"Neither did I, Senlin was very unstable in his later years no one knows for sure what descended him into madness. Any who follow him are just as insane," mentioned Ku Tei.

"I feel like you might know what he's going to do next," Rong Yan said.

"To be fair he's quite an unpredictable man, he'll come up with something so heinous in his head. That he'll attempt to make it a reality," stated Ku Tei.

"What do you know?" Rong Yan insisted, "We only know what interrogation told us I was the cause of his envy all those years. He was jealous of the blessing Tiandi gave me and how Ta Po promoted me years after returning from mastering the elements," said Ku Tei.

"How did Senlin live all these years if he's around your age?" wondered Rong Yan.

"I don't know Senlin must've struck a deal with Yama if he's lived this long," Ku Tei shook his head he didn't know why Senlin lived long enough to haunt the current Avatar. He regretted not having killed Senlin he apologized to Rong Yan, "I should have been more decisive and killed Senlin but something inside of me told me to spare his life. I apologize for leaving this mess to you."

"My advice is to you is to continue your journey and master the last two elements then you may confront my enemy and end him. Avenge Earth King Ta Po, Rong Yan...avenge all those who have been killed by Senlin's hands," advised Ku Tei, the spirit of the previous Avatar dispersed.

A tall Air Nomad monk appeared before Rong Yan it was Avatar Kwan Chun himself, "When we first met two years ago, you showed me your greatest fear. After we defended your home and you blew all those invaders off the mountain we thought my greatest fear died. But Senlin still lives," brought up Rong Yan.

The Air Nomad's eyes widened he sighed then responded, "A tomb of the earth is what he used to survive. In my time it was a common move used by earthbenders to break their falls. Only the most skilled earthbenders could truly pull it off leaving several killing themselves. Your opponent has studied earthbending quite well and must have tricks from older generations."

"Your opponent is truly dangerous I advise that you speak to other past lives so they can tell you more about their earthbending masters. Maybe then will you learn a thing or two or perhaps a weakness," stated Kwan Chun.

Rong Yan sat there he learned that Senlin survived through the use of an earth tomb that broke his and Palartok's fall. Another aura emanated from his body a short brown-skinned Water Tribe woman with black hair and a bit older sat across from him.

"Avatar Anana I need your help," Rong Yan requested, "You sound distraught, Avatar Rong Yan. What is the problem?" she asked concerned.

"General Senlin lives, when Kwan Chun blasted him off the mountain he encased himself in an earth tomb to break his fall. I must know what did Cuzhuang know that most earthbenders didn't?" he inquired.

"My earthbending master Cuzhuang knew how to bend earth at a distance he called it remote earthbending. How he learned it? I'm not so sure but he taught me this ability all those years ago. It proved useful when I fought Tuuluuwaq," Anana answered. Anana disappeared he looked deep inside himself and called upon Avatar Xi Tong.

The Earth King Avatar hadn't been summoned in over two years, his hair was kept neatly bound and held by a sangtuwan. His goatee nicely trimmed, his skin was flawless and tan, he remained seated across from Rong Yan.

"Avatar Xi Tong in the days of old what was a common ability used by the earthbenders?" wondered Rong Yan. Xi Tong placed his hand on his goatee while he thought about it he strafed his goatee.

"In my day, the earthbenders commonly used an ability called seismic sense. Seismic sense allowed the earthbender to sense the vibrations in the earth. They could see a sneak attack coming even if they were blindfolded. They waited and listened to strike, the only weakness was an airbender that never touched the ground," remembered Xi Tong.

"Thank you, Avatar Xi," he bowed his head while Xi Tong disappeared, he knew he couldn't call Mun Jin for assistance but he wanted to attempt to call Arrluk. Rong Yan met a descendant of Arrluk.

Suluk was an ambassador to the southern Oma Kingdom captured by Geng Gao in Sichuan village within Wushan province. He focused for a minute a tall, hulking dark-skinned man with indigo-colored eyes, and brown dreadlocks with a receding hairline answered his call. He wore a large baggy purple parka, his pants were a lavender color and he wore seal-skinned boots.

"I am Avatar Arrluk, young Avatar what is it that I can assist you with?" Avatar Arrluk introduced himself.

"My greatest enemy was thought to have been killed yet he still lives, I've asked my past lives for abilities that were commonly used by the earthbenders of their time. So I can have a better understanding of what tricks he might use against me," Rong Yan explained.

"The best abilities are passed through generations by the greatest benders of all time," Arrluk stated.

"In my days, as the Avatar the earthbenders who constantly warred through the Earth territories used what was called an earth spout. There were several variations like the sand spout used by the sandbenders that were forced to fight until the Oma Kingdom took back those states from Earth King Zhuanxu of the Tong Dynasty. Other nations had their version but this was commonly used during the civil war the manipulation of earth to maintain balance at height was thought to be impossible," Arrluk described.

"This technique was developed by the sandbenders of the Alxa tribe a millennia ago and wasn't shared until Zhuanxu forced them to contribute their knowledge with his armies," disclosed Arrluk.

"Wow an earth spout, does that mean a fire spout is possible?" Rong Yan inquired, Arrluk nodded, "Yes if done correctly without burning yourself or your clothing a fire spout can be maintained."

"One more thing I've been meaning to speak with Avatar Mun Jin yet I am not spiritually powerful enough to call upon him. I need assistance in calling the Saint of Knowledge," Rong Yan requested.

"There are only two known ways," Arrluk answered, Rong Yan, sighed "I know these already," he frowned now because he knew there was no short cut to speak with his past life.

"But there is a way without having to accomplish those. Visit the local temple, through a prayer that has helped me, you too may be able to communicate with further past lives. I will be with you every step of the way. Ask the elder shaman there to assist you. It allows you to overcome any physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual block that's keeping you from your goal," explained Arrluk.

"Thank you, Avatar Arrluk," Rong Yan bowed his head to the spirit of an Avatar who dispersed before Rong Yan could bow to him with respect. Rong Yan stood up to find that Aloi was nowhere to be found he rose to his feet and exited the kashim. The guard was gone but she stood there outside while she waited for Rong Yan to finish with his last lives.

Meanwhile, the ferry ship which Palartok and Senlin were boarded on finally arrived to the cold, icy wasteland of the Northern Water Tribe. They arrived in the city of Aupaluk where the ship stopped before it headed back to Full-Moon Bay. Senlin rested his arms on the bow of the ferry as observed the sunrise of the North Pole in the warmth of his new indigo-colored parka.

Palartok borrowed an old handheld bronze mirror from one of the people aboard the ferry. He bought a kit of makeup from Xuen while they stayed in Dahongpao. The palette of makeup carried colors from red to black, although he used the red and brown colors to mix and created a new shade. He applied the makeup on his left eye down to his left nostril, he was back in the North Pole now. He knew if someone recognized him he would be executed. He made sure to make a believable burn scar as if he was a victim of a rogue firebender.

The horn of the ferry sounded off and it came to a direct halt, the helmsman announced, "WE'RE NOW IN THE NORTHERN WATER TRIBE!"

Palartok sighed, he hoped this would go well for him he boarded off the ferry with Senlin. Senlin stared at his scar and slightly frowned then nodded, "That's believable," he approved. They reached the immigration checkpoint where the census of the capital worked, the building was behind the checkpoint. There were guards on each side that stood there and checked the papers of every person who entered the country through the capital.

"Next!" shouted one of the warriors, two men stepped forward an average-sized fit middle-aged man and a tall, large, hulking older man. He eyed both men and then requested, "Papers please." Both Palartok and Senlin handed him their identification papers he skimmed through the papers to find their nationality and where they came from.

"Welcome to Aupaluk, Lee and Yu. I hope you enjoy your stay, gentlemen," he smiled as he welcomed both men. He gestured them with his hand to pass through. Palartok bowed his head to the warrior as they were permitted access to the capital. Palartok let out a long exhale, Senlin turned his head to pay attention to it he asked concerned, "What?"

"Nothing just glad no one recognized my face, I'm more worried about the elders though," worried Palartok.

"Don't stare too much might catch onlookers, this will go smoothly as planned," Senlin assured Palartok.

"I hope you're right, as for what we need for our mission I know of a place in the southwestern section of the bazaar here. If you're interested," mentioned Palartok.

"Do tell," grinned Senlin, Palartok spoke to Senlin in Kingsmen language and described the location they were headed to, "That small alley is often nicknamed the Cut-Throat Alley by those of gray or darker morals. Its where the black market sells its things."

"What kinds of things?" inquired Senlin as he held a simper.

"Drugs, poisons, illegal animals, illegal alcohol, slaves, prostitutes, stolen goods and you can get yourself a hit. But most hitmen don't touch politicians or royals," described Palartok. Senlin smirked, "Sounds like my part of town."

Meanwhile, Kimaru peered off in the distance he met with a group of minstrels. They desired to travel to Kunlun City and were from Bu'Keng, it only took them two weeks to reach the city. He had gotten to know the bards well, and even gave them his alias. Kungo was a common Northie name and they made friends throughout the two weeks he learned of what he could of Prince Baotong.

Information like what he looked like, where he stayed in the city, what he was there for and they even provided a poster with the prince's face that advertised the new Earth King and the crowned prince. The city wasn't walled but the borders of the city were marked by the agrarian zone that surrounded the capital of Kunlun.

The province of Kunlun was a mountainous region it was considered a highland of mountains by others and its locals. Various mountains littered the area with the Kunlun mountain range that rode through the state. There were forests near the Kunlun-Taihao border while the Kunlun coast was mostly beaches.

There were at least six to eight farms that surrounded Kunlun City, the group of minstrels walked most of the trip each had taken a break as they rode the drums player's ostrich horse. Beyond the farms and ranches and fields began the brick stoned streets with a large frontal wall that became the checkpoint where immigration was handled.

"Couldn't people just sneak through an area where there is no checkpoint, Mogu?" said the youngest one, a tall, lanky, scruffy young girl probably still in her teens she played the lute and was recently picked off the streets of Jinan by Mogu. Mogu was the ostrich-horse headed fiddle player, and also the lead of the group.

"No, Pipa there are four checkpoints in each direction the city has no walls, but there are four entrances. North, South, East, and West has checkpoints and with Prince Baotong visiting there's extra security," answered Mogu.

They passed through a road between a farm and its fields there were several women in the fields each wore a conical straw hat similar to Kimaru's. While Pipa chuckled at a boy who was being chased by an angry ostrich horse in its paddock. The young man hopped over the gates of the paddock his foot tripped on the top of the gate. He fell face-first onto the ground embarrassed when he noticed the cute but unkempt girl that giggled at him.

After twenty minutes of having strolled through the dry cracked dirt road, they reached the checkpoint. Normally, a checkpoint held soldiers of the kingdom along with guards that protected the governors but now as an added reinforcement there were also royal guards. The royal guards kept hawkeyes on the group of musicians that arrived.

One of the royal guards scanned the group he saw a short, fat middle-aged man with an instrument strapped onto his back, a tall, lanky dirty girl, a short middle-aged woman with pale skin and dark brown hair she carried around a flute. And an average height man with drums strapped onto his ostrich horse, he was bald but wore a fu manchu mustache. The royal guard did, however, saw an odd man out, a brown-skinned man in an olive green tunic who wore a conical straw hat. He didn't carry an instrument either.

"Identifications papers, please. We have to mandatorily search all visitors while Prince Baotong is in the city," Kimaru slid the scroll into his boot and made sure none of the soldiers or royal guards noticed. The royal guard and a few others read the papers carefully and even questioned the group of minstrel about the details in the papers.

"How old are you, Mogu?" inquired one of the royal guards.

"Forty-eight, sir," answered Mogu, Kimaru remained stoic while the head of the royal guards read his false papers.

"Where do you hail from, Sagluruk?" asked the guard.

"Kunikluk region of the Northern Water Tribe," replied Kimaru, "What do you do for a living?" he wondered.

"I am a carpenter's apprentice but I came here to meet an old friend I met back in Ba Sing Se when I was a younger man," responded Kimaru, the guard stared at him again he didn't like Tribesmen especially Northies he closed the document book and handed it back to Kimaru, "Welcome to Kunlun City, we hope you enjoy your stay."

A massive drop of nervousness dropped from Kimaru's shoulders he convinced the guard to let him through. They paced toward the slums of the capital where the poor lived they stopped in front of a large sign that had a directory painted on it. This is where he split from the group of minstrels he met Mogu bowed to the man he and his friends traveled with.

"It was a pleasure having you with us, Sagluruk. The stories of your times in Ba Sing Se were refreshing for us. Hopefully, you'll catch our performance tonight," thanked Mogu. Kimaru bowed to Mogu in return, "Gladly if I could go back in time I would do it over again. I'll be at the festival," Kimaru smiled.

Kimaru shrugged the politeness now that he was alone he remembered exactly what Baotong looked like from the poster. He unfolded the poster after he took it out from his pocket and he reread its contents. The young man on the poster was no older than nineteen-years-old, he had a black queue his head was shaved from the frontal lobe region and that included half of the crown of his head.

The poster read, "Spring 658

Earth Prince Qiangda Baotong is visiting the eastern Qiangda provinces. Festival held tonight will be in his honor, he will announce his inheritance to the throne of the new Earth King Qiang Zhen.

Glory to the Earth King and Earth Prince, Long May They Reign!"

Aloi and Rong Yan roamed around the city of Aupaluk as they were directed toward a temple by a guard. They found themselves near the northwestern entrance of the city where most hunters used to leave the city. Suddenly they heard screams in the distance someone needed their help and was distressed. They ran over to where the screams came from to find an old man on the ground.

On top of his leg was a large boulder of snow that crushed his left leg he couldn't remove the massive snowball. It had fallen on him after he failed to remove it. Rong Yan wasn't adept enough to remove the boulder from his leg. He stood in a gong bu stance and attempted to remove it but it wouldn't budge, Aloi ran over to the man's side and tried to calm him down, "My friend's the Avatar he'll try his best to remove it."

"Rong Yan! Why's the boulder not moving?" shouted Aloi.

"I can't let me get some help!" he yelled in return Rong Yan amplified his voice with soundbending and released "HELP!" that echoed within the next three blocks where the gates of the city were.

A group of men arrived confused yet curious about the sudden loud echo. Three of them waterbenders they all took ma bu stances and lifted the snow boulder high enough for two other men to drag the old man from underneath.

"Thank you, thank you! I thought I was a goner!" he thanked the men who came to rescue him. Rong Yan jogged up to the old man one of the men carried the senior in his arms while Rong Yan offered to help, "Is there anything we can do? One of our friends is a healer."

The old man shook his head, "No thank you.." he paused he winced in pain "I have a healer outside the city named Aumanil that can heal me better than any healer in the city. I live two houses down from here, my buffalo yak is in the stables across the street. Bring her over to my cart and fasten her reins to the cart," he instructed.

"Arghh!" he cried out his leg was broken and crushed. He took rapid breaths as he tried to make the best out of the situation.

"Then steer my girl out of the city and to the north, two hours from here is my main healer. I prefer her expertise over others," he added. Rong Yan ran off while Aloi watched the old man.

He darted down the street and toward the stables first for the buffalo yak. He explained the situation to the stablemaster and was permitted to take the creature. After he hurried the beast over to the home of the old man he pulled the cart out and tied the reins of the animal of burden to the cart.

He returned with the cart being pulled by the buffalo yak he bent down and lifted the old man into his arms and carried him to the cart. Aloi jumped into the back of the cart while Rong Yan mounted the buffalo yak. The creature disliked the idea of a stranger on her back that she made a fuss about it.

"Kulavak! Settle down, this young man and his airbender friend are trying to help me!" he scolded the buffalo yak. The creature recognized the voice of its owner and accepted Rong Yan. He steered the beast out through the gates as soon as the guards near it witnessed everything.

At the same time, Palartok and Senlin finally made their way to Cut-Throat Alley where they could find the poison needed for their mission. What they found were shady people left and right of the street. There were shops built into the makeshift homes there, stands that had an array of illegal goods. Shops of alchemists who made potions, elixirs, and poisons, to stolen clothing, armor and weapons from the Earth Kingdom civil war, and stolen identification papers.

There was a small hut with a sign for forgeries where the individual made forged formal letters for things, there was even a fortune-teller and an assassin. Senlin scanned the small street while he made sure no one else made eye contact with him or Palartok. Palartok nudged Senlin and pointed down at the alchemist's shop. A canopy blocked out the sun when the cloudy sky didn't. The merchant sat nomad style on the pelt of a polar bear dog. Exotically-shaped vials, and bottles that contained liquids of different colors.

The scruffy old and wrinkled woman wore a heavy purple-colored parka, thick fur pants, and boots. Her skin was nearly pale with a tinge of gray, a sharp chin and an arched nose with a mole on it. Her voice was soft and eerie she could both be a sweet grandmother and evil witch at the same time. She raised her head when she noticed the large shadows that confronted her.

"I have the best remedies, and poisons at cheap prices! Get your crush to fall in love with you or poison her significant other if she rejects you," said the old woman she smirked at the men who approached her.

"We need a poison. Something that will paralyze our target and slowly and excruciatingly end their miserable life," Palartok requested.

"You need white jade leaf extract, sonny. I don't have any vials made on me, but you can make it yourself if you buy the bottle and leaves from me," the woman answered. She stood up and stooped over near a small box where she carried little sacks full of leaves and flowers. The white jade plant's leaves are white she handed Palartok the small sack and gave him a vial.

"That'll be fifty silver," she smiled, Senlin reached into his coin pouch a tossed her a gold coin from the Oma Kingdom instead. "Keep the change," he added.

"How do we make it?" Palartok questioned the old woman.

"You simply boil the leaves in a pot of water and pour its contents in the vial. When it is ready for use you pour it on your weapon and make sure the poison enters the victim's bloodstream," explained the alchemist. Palartok nodded to the instructions.

"How much is needed to kill a grown adult?" inquired Senlin.

"Two leaves, causes the rash to begin first, then comes the paralysis and finally the closing of the windpipe which causes the victim to suffocate to death," described the alchemist. Senlin walked off with the vial in his hands Palartok right behind him.

"Now that we have the vial what do we do next?" Palartok wondered.

"We find our victim," Senlin responded coldly.

"We want to strike a nerve on the Northern Water Tribe's government, do you know any of their government officials that are important to the royal family?" Senlin asked Palartok. He stood there while he thought about all the likely candidates who could be assassinated then he snapped his fingers.

"Chief Cupun has a nephew who's an officer in the army, the boy was highly sought as the future of the military and is a relative of the royals. He's also the less guarded," mentioned Palartok.

"We need to find him before the night ends, any pointers?" Senlin said.

"We could ask someone while we're here," Palartok continued, he thought maybe if he asked the assistance of the corrupted guards in the area. He neared one of the men in thick leather armor the guard looked into his eyes, "State your business, citizen."

Senlin tossed a sack of coins to the guard and questioned him, "Cupun has a nephew, what's his name and what does he do?"

"His name is Amak, he's an officer in the military but also a guard captain and patrols the northeastern part of the city near the palace with his guards," reported the corrupt guard.

"Can you get us access to any records that could assist us or even armor as disguises?" Palartok inquired.

"Records no, I can get you armor and weapons. All you gotta do is report to him in the northeastern section of the city. Why is he important?" the guard returned an echo question of concern.

"Higher powers want him purged from the physical world," Senlin disclosed.

"Done, but if you want this done convincingly I may offer my northern brother here equipment while you become the distraction," offered the man.

"How so?" Senlin wondered.

"I mean you're committing a crime and your friend here is going to ask Amak for help in arresting you," clarified the guard.

"You're speaking my kind of language," Senlin grinned wickedly.

Two hours have gone by, the winds out in the frozen wilderness have begun to pick up soon a blizzard would hit but Rong Yan, Aloi and the old man needed to reach Aumanil's hut. They needed to return to the city before the weather got any worse.

Off in the distance Rong Yan could see a hut built on top of a wooden foundation, the hut wasn't that wide but its height was long. After a few minutes they finally came to a stop Aloi maintained the temperature of the old man and made sure he didn't get hypothermia despite being exposed to the elements. A smokestack rose from the chimney of the hut, there was a tree nearby the hut Rong Yan grabbed the old man and carried him up the stairs he jetted himself up and over the stairs. While Aloi examined their surroundings.

She saw what she believed was familiar with a stone shrine of a wolf bat but she didn't think much of it she was more concerned about the health of the old man they rescued. She ran up the stairs and knocked on the wooden door. An old hunched woman opened the door and smiled the old man turned his head to face the old woman.

"Aumanil you gotta help me, I tried removing the boulder in town it collected a lot of snow from the last snowstorm. I think my leg is broken and crushed! Argh!" he explained then cried out in pain again. The old woman's wrinkly hands gestured Rong Yan to enter with the old man.

"Let me take a good look at you, Inuksuk," she said calmly, Aumanil had always remained calm in tough situations especially one like this. To ensure that the patient wasn't going to tense up. Rong Yan bent down on his knees and gently placed the old man down in a small pool that was built into the floor of the hut. The waters that filled the pool had spiritual properties and were blessed by a shaman or someone with a high spiritual level.

Rong Yan and Aloi sat down and watched as the old woman made fluid movements as the water pushed and pulled around the old man. The waters eased his pain his leg still broken she took in deep breaths while her eyes were shut. She felt his energies as she continued, Aloi did her best to get Rong Yan's attention about the statue outside. She pushed him a bit harder instead of poking him, she finally got his attention.

"What?" he said a bit bothered and annoyed that she pushed him.

"I need to tell you something over here," she whispered while she pointed at the corner, he stood up and minced over to the corner the woman still focused on the old man. Aloi joined Rong Yan in the corner, "I noticed something while we arrived here, there's a shrine outside of a wolfba-" Aloi tried to explain what she saw when suddenly the body of the old man rose from the pool.

He levitated above the pool itself Aumanil's eyes were still shut while she concentrated on the man's body. Stiff movements with her left wrist and hand, Rong Yan's jaw dropped while Inuksuk cried out in pain. Rong Yan quickly shifted into a Ma Bo stance while he readied himself to attack the old woman. The old man saw what was about to go on and cried, "NO! Don't hurt her!"

"She's a bloodbender are you crazy?!" shouted Rong Yan, Aumanil's eyes opened wide and she lost her focus. Inuksuk plummeted into the pool water splashed around. He sat up and defended his friend, "Leave her alone! She's my primary healer, darn it! I didn't think a firebender and an airbender would understand!" he screamed.

"Bloodbenders are evil!" disagreed Aloi who changed into a li gua stance.

"The last one we fought killed his best friend and I had to kill him too," recalled Rong Yan.

The old woman shook in fear she knew this was her end. Only those in the nearby village accepted her for who she was and a few others who lived within Aupaluk knew. There are plenty of others who've tried to hurt her and were arrested by the men of the nearby village.

"Pl-please don't hurt me! I only want to heal my friend," she tried to convince Rong Yan and Aloi.

"How can we trust you?!" barked Rong Yan, his eyes stayed put on the bloodbender never looked to his sides.

"Why would Inuksuk entrust you to bring him to me if he knew my art form was illegal. He used outsiders because using locals would endanger my safety. I use my bending for healing not fighting, I perform miracles," reasoned the old woman she begged on her knees.

"I'm so sorry Aumanil for putting you in harm's way I didn't expect this to happen!" apologized the old man.

"Rong Yan I think she's telling the truth," convinced Aloi.

"Don't you remember last time what happened with Sakana?" countered Rong Yan.

"Sakana..?" repeated the old woman.

"What do you know of him?" Rong Yan wondered.

"Sakana is my adopted son when he killed his father I took him in and taught him to use his bending for good, to heal others instead of evil and only causing pain," replied Aumanil.

"You're the Aumanil that was mentioned in his journals," mentioned Aloi.

"You read my son's journals?" asked Aumanil, Rong Yan and Aloi both nodded. A tear fell from the old woman's eyes she knew that he was no longer living. Rong Yan felt remorse having to kill the bloodbender.

"I..." he paused.

"...I had to do what was right...he killed his best friend. Atshen overtook him," explained Rong Yan, her heart dropped and she was saddened. Her voice quavered, "The voices...the voices got to him, he was too late. You see a bloodbender is affected by the voice of Atshen if they use their bloodbending for evil."

"Us do-gooders have mastered the way to silence the voices and have been blessed by Anguta," claimed Aumanil.

"Please allow me to finish healing my friend we can talk if you'd like to learn more," Aumanil asked for permission to continue to heal Inuksuk.

Rong Yan nodded and returned into an idle stance while he watched the old woman perform her miracles. Inuksuk rose out of the pool once more while Aumanil lifted him with her right she focused on his ankle with her left. She moved her wrist left and right while his bones cracked his ankled rattled. He cried out pain again when she stabilized his ankle and fixed his bones back into place. She hovered him over to the mat just in front of the pool and used waterbending to remove the water that soaked his clothing before she dumped it back into the pool.

"I'll need you off that foot, Inuksuk and I mean it! Tell your son Inuksuk the Younger to do your job. Besides he's a waterbender!" she scolded the old man.

She looked over at Rong Yan and told him, "You are free to ask me any concerns or questions you may have. But please allow my friend to rest right now."

"How have you lived this long without being executed by the government?" Rong Yan asked with concern.

"Arrluk's Village protects me they put their lives on the line and lie to the chief's men, I've taught the girls of the village to use their abilities to heal others. They hide their abilities and only heal those of the village," responded Aumanil.

"Why not just heal with waterbending?" questioned Aloi.

"Waterbending is limited when it comes to healing, bloodbending has expanded its practices over a millennia. Waterbenders of old used bloodbending openly to heal all kinds of illnesses, blindness, deafness, fixed ruptured organs, ceased a person from bleeding out, even remove spiritual blockage," answered Aumanil.

"Wait did you say spiritual blockage?" repeated Rong Yan, the old woman nodded, "Yes a bloodbender who's very spiritual can assist others by removing the block that prevents them to grow spiritually."

"I was planning on visiting the local temple so that the elder shaman or someone can help me overcome this obstacle. But if you're willing to even assist me after our heated confrontation several minutes ago I would like your help," said Rong Yan.

"Don't feel bad about what happened earlier I understand your reaction toward me you were horribly introduced to bloodbending. I'm here to ensure that the opinion is changed but you should remain wary of other bloodbenders if you do not know them well. Please undress and enter the pool I will need to read your energies first before we continue," stated Aumanil she offered Rong Yan to lay in the pool. Aloi sat nomad style and observed Aumanil as she did her thing.

Kunlun City, Kunlun province

The evening had finally fallen upon the city of Kunlun, Kimaru was perched on a roof as he watched as several soldiers along with the governor of the province along with the Earth Prince minced onto the stage. The middle-aged and light-skinned governor whose hair was also styled in a queue wore black robes with a lion vulture embroidered onto the tunic welcomed the boy. The crowd roared for the young boy every single one of them including the soldiers and the guards, and the governor bowed before the heir apparent of the Qiangda Kingdom throne.

The governor rose to his feet first after he was tapped on the shoulder by the Earth Prince, the governor of the province stepped forward he shouted to the citizens to rise. He began his speech, "I, Governor De Tou Jingshen, present you the heir apparent of the Qiangda Kingdom! His name is Prince Qiangda Baotong!"

The crowd cheered as the boy stepped forward, the royal guards locked their eyes on the crowd and their environment. They watched as the prince spoke to the citizens of Kunlun he shouted, "Earth King Ta Po has passed two years ago, my cousin Qiangda Qiang Zhen has taken the throne soon after my granduncle's death. He rules as your new Earth King, as the transition of power went smooth there wasn't much of a change. There have been rumors of assassinations of a few ministers I can inform you that while that is correct. There is nothing to fear!"

"Earth King Qiang Zhen has allowed the governors to elect new replacements, while currently, he is unwed and childless. He has found a bride soon to be married together while her father becomes the new Minister of Territory Intelligence!" announced Baotong.

"We hope that you will soon grow to love my cousin as your Earth King, and I will make a great heir apparent to the throne. The kingdom stays in Qiangda Dynasty hands I assure you!" declared Baotong. The soldiers surrounded the Earth Prince and the governor as they returned to their carriages ready to return to the governor's estate.

Kimaru inhaled deeply this was his move now his new friends stepped onto the stage and began to play for the crowd as one of the many minstrel groups that were hired by the governor. The music begun and echoed through the streets. The people began to dance around while others enjoyed the festival, the debauchery has begun between young adults.

Kimaru peered out and scanned the area for the carriage the prince departed it. He hopped rooftop to rooftop in hopes of having caught up with it. After several minutes of avoidance of being in the line of sight of the royal guards, he hid behind a chimney as he watched the Earth Prince being taken inside the walled estate of governor Jingshen.

"I hope you will enjoy your evening, Prince Baotong. I made sure the bed you received was comfier than a cloud in the sky," smiled Jingshen.

Baotong giggled, "Thank you, you understand I have back problems at such a young age I'm surprised I can even walk." The governor departed ways with the prince while both were escorted by their entourages to their respective areas.

Kimaru thought in his head a plan that could work he grinned when he watched the same guard had made four rounds around the estate. He was alone while others were stationed on other sides of the walls. He swung down the roof and landed on top of the man he heard a snap but wasn't sure what he broke. He didn't care he wrapped his hand around the guard's mouth in case he screamed which he did but it was muffled.

He conjured an ice pick out of thin air the evening carried moisture, soon it'd rain he hoped. He jammed the pick into the man's throat and dragged his body into an empty barrel. He removed the dead guard's armor and used it for a disguise to enter the estate without being questioned.

The armor he wore was light green, similar to the royal guards of the palace in Ba Sing Se. He knew this was his skeleton key in and around the estate while he went unnoticed. He gave himself about two hours to complete his mission.

Kimaru saluted the other guards in the area these belonged to the governor. They wore chainmail and over it, they wore light green tunics with a lion vulture embroidered on them. The lion vulture was the seal of the De Tou family.

"Is there something we can do for you, sir?" one of the men asked.

"Yes, I need two men outside the walls patrolling along with the royal guards. If they ask, say Li sent you," ordered Kimaru he came up with a name, Li was the most common in the Qiangda Kingdom. While the man who ordered them around had an accent they didn't question it. They simply obeyed their orders. The men ran off to their new patrol positions while Kimaru skulked about in the darkness, he remembered when the prince was being escorted behind the estate of the governor. He assumed there was a guest house behind there.

A guard stood and stared at the darkness an arm swiftly threw itself over his neck and snapped it. Kimaru dragged the corpse into a dark corner and carried on. After he avoided and dispatched key guards he neared toward a guest house it was large and two men stood in front of it while another patrolled nearby. He waited patiently for the patrolling guard to come toward him and in the darkness grabbed him and snapped his neck too. The cry of the guard went unheard the two men who guarded the guest house staunchly continued their guard.

This part became difficult because now he wondered how he would get past both men without having caused much noise and not wanting to alert the others. He sighed he realized that maybe he needed to sacrifice stealth. He didn't take too long and took the guard's place and patrolled in front of the guards. He formed two ice picks that he hid in his hands when he got close to the men again he swiftly shot both icicles at the man and penetrated their armor and killed them.

He dragged the bodies behind the guest house where he left the other's corpse. With the blood-stained icicles, he melted them and submerged the lock of the door with water. He froze the lock and focused on the breaking point of the lock. It broke open and the ice melted back into the water he gently opened the door and slid inside.

A guard noticed him and called out to him, "What are you doing here?"

"The captain ordered me to relieve you of your duty while you took a break," lied Kimaru.

"Thank goodness I needed it!" responded the man, they passed by each other then Kimaru pivoted in a half-circle and put the guard to sleep. He propped him in the corner like he fell asleep the only thing that stopped him was the door. On the other side, Prince Baotong cleaned himself in a tub made of timber.

Kimaru used water out of the air and quickly used it to freeze the lock, he broke the pins inside the lock and the door unlatched open. He slowly opened the door while the prince was in the other room where he bathed. Kimaru turned the ice back into water and then formed an ice pick he leaned against a wall while he waited for the prince. He heard water dripped while a young squeaky-voiced young man exited the tub.

The young man covered himself with a silk towel around his waist and another wrapped around his head to dry his hair. He let out a sigh of relief, on the table near the wall was his meal that was placed on the table. His drink steamed just the way he wanted, Kimaru waited. Baotong removed his head towel and shook his head he turned around and met a fist to his face.

The initial hit knocked him to the ground he let it out a soft cry, "Ow! Who are you?!"

"An assassin sent by Chief Cupun," smirked Kimaru.

The icicle he held in his hand neared the boy's throat while he squirmed and thrashed around. But it failed steam produced from his exposed throat while some crimson fluid squirted from the newly made orifice. He strived to crawl and tried to cry but all it was, was pain and guttural noises that emitted from his wound. Kimaru watched as the prince's life escaped its former shell, he propped up the corpse on the bed.

He created an art piece, that he left behind for those who would be the lucky ones to have found the corpse the next day. He loved to murder others it was his expression through art that made each killing unique than the last. This was the prince, of course, he wanted to surprise the prince's bodyguards. He forgot to plant the evidence the dagger strapped to his boot was left lodged into the chest of the Earth Prince. The scroll was left slightly undone, he knocked things over like if there was a struggle. He left documents of the long-dead mercenary that Senlin and Palartok killed about a month ago. He peeped out the door and noticed the guard was still unconscious and made his way out.

Meanwhile, Tanaraq and Tulok sat on the railing of a bridge they stared into each other's eyes and slowly their lips neared the others. They passionately kissed over the moon Tui blessed their relationship from the start. She knew her mother was proud of her, this was her destiny. Tulok caressed Tanaraq's face in his hands she giggled while he smiled. He gave her a tribesman's kiss, they both rubbed their noses against each other they both giggled into the night.

Rong Yan rested in the pool while Aumanil read his energy she noticed there was a blockage in his chi paths which prevented him from having reached his past lives. With the use of bloodbending she unblocked the paths for him maybe this even was his problem and that caused his waterbending to be weakened as well knowing this was his polar opposite.

Now that it flowed she felt his powerful Avatar energies coursed through his body. She lifted his body out of the pool and down on the floor. She then removed the water that soaked his body and left him dry. Rong Yan sat up he felt strength that he didn't before, "What did you do to me?" he questioned her.

"I noticed you had a blockage in your chi paths all I did was remove it but before you start meditation I need you to recite a prayer with me. This will only ensure your spirit reaches great heights," smiled Aumanil.

Rong Yan nodded, he sat nomad-style and lowered his head and began the prayer with Aumanil as he repeated everything she said. "I invoke the name of Tiandi, and that of the Moon Spirit Tui to bring deliverance from suffering and delusion," repeated Rong Yan.

"Paving the way for compassion and enlightenment, I offer this prayer to Tiandi and Tui. May they allow me to further my enlightenment," he repeated. Rong Yan sat there while Aumanil, Inuksuk, and Aloi observed him suddenly his eyes opened and a flash of white emanated in his eyes.

"Woah! He entered the Avatar State!" exclaimed Aloi in excitement she couldn't believe that a bloodbender helped the Avatar open his spiritual energies. But she wasn't sure if that was for him to master the Avatar State or whether to further his spiritual energies.

When Rong Yan opened his eyes he found himself in a library with endlessly tall shelves, with a vast number of books that were tightly held in place by one another. A grayish-blue fox found the new visitor that entered the library it lowered its head and Rong Yan petted it. The creature lifted one leg, while it remained straight and faced the direction in front of him.

"What is it, boy? You want me to follow you?" guessed Rong Yan, the spirit fox ran off and Rong Yan followed close behind the creature. They ran through endless hallways filled with the knowledge of the world. Rong Yan didn't know where he was but he knew he wasn't in immediate danger, he felt at peace. They reached a large door that was shoved open by the fox. When he entered the room he also recognized it.

The room was decorated similar to how the Air Nomads would have decorated their rooms, tapestries of the Nomadic pantheon were hung around the room. On the floor was a rug made to look like the symbol of Tui and La, Yin and Yang. The fox itself grew larger Rong Yan took a step back startled when suddenly it transformed into a hulking man. His skin was pale, and he had broad shoulders and a muscular frame, he turned around Rong Yan noticed the features of the man. He was bald, he had a strong jaw, no facial hair was present, his eyes were gray, his eyebrows were black and there were arrow tattoos on his body.

He finally reached the Saint of Knowledge, the one that he felt he was unworthy to summon. The muscular airbender wore wooden prayer beads around his neck. He wore an orange sash that ran across his torso, he wore orange robes on his lower body and brown silk boots adorned his feet. He sat down nomad-style and Rong Yan followed.

"I..." Rong Yan's past life uttered only a single word and his voice echoed and boomed like thunder. This is exactly what Avatar Kwan Chun mentioned about this past life.

"...I am Avatar Mun Jin, young Avatar. You have finally connected with me what is it that you seek?" Avatar Mun Jin introduced himself and then questioned Rong Yan.

"I need you to help me obtain spiritual projection," requested Rong Yan, Mun Jin answered, "You have already gained this ability when the bloodbender removed the spiritual blockage, boy."

"I can sense the evils that will transpire in the next few years of your life, I can feel death, sufferage, war. These very things will shape your destiny and the very Avatar you were meant to be," claimed Mun Jin.

"What do you mean?" Rong Yan inquired.

"You are an immature young man, being this way will cause tons to suffer and die in the coming years. Only you can prevent this with decisiveness. Overcome your fear of your enemy for you are the Avatar the most powerful being in the physical world. Your fear will only corrupt your destiny, but if you become brave and attentive will you prevent the deaths of many and be heralded as a great Avatar," explained Mun Jin.

"How? How do I defeat him? Just when I thought he was dead, he yet still lives," Rong Yan pleaded to Mun Jin.

"Our hearts only see the feelings of our own, while it is completely blind to those of others. Your ego has corrupted your being slowly. Your greatest fear is filled with ego, egotistical people are not decisive and they make mistakes and that is his weakness," answered Mun Jin.

"I want to apologize about what I've said about you in the past, I said that you mastering all bending forms was hooey. That was quite ignorant of me, I learned that these forms do exist. Lightningbending, bloodbending, snowbending, sandbending, and soundbending are the ones I've encountered so far," apologized Rong Yan.

"Your apology has been accepted, Rong Yan. You must humble yourself and the only way of doing that is by serving others as their Avatar," Mun Jin said.

"I can see a blizzard in your future if you allow me to control your body I will disperse the snowstorm and allow you and your companions to return to Aupaluk unscathed," Mun Jin added.

Rong Yan's body rose to his feet and walked out the door. Aloi grabbed Rong Yan's tunic a bit frightened he stayed in the Avatar State and jetted into the air as soon as he exited out of the hut. Aloi ran out after him, "Rong Yan! What are you doing?" she shouted.

Rong Yan floated while the air currents lifted his body the snowstorm battered the area suddenly the winds and snow came to a halt. The skies no longer dropped snow, and the winds remained still Rong Yan gently hovered down to the snow-covered ground. The Avatar State ended he held his head and smiled. He shifted in a gong bu stance again pivoted his body a half circle with a force pulled snow out of the ground that quickly changed form into water. He whipped out the water which then froze again into spikes of ice.

Aloi had never seen him waterbend this well she was shocked and impressed, "What happened to you?"

"Aumanil happened to me, Mun Jin said she removed the blockage that prevented me from waterbending and reaching my other past lives," responded Rong Yan.

Rong Yan ran inside and helped Inuksuk to the cart it was night time but the skies were clear for the time being. He bowed to the old woman without her help he would've never obtained this powerful ability. Aloi mounted the buffalo yak while Inuksuk spoke to his animal Rong Yan meditated he soon found himself in Aupaluk. Where he floated in front of Tanaraq and Tulok who were being affectionate to one another.

Tanaraq squealed in fear Rong Yan's spirit projected in front of her she had almost fallen off the railing of the bridge. Tulok caught her in time she tried to reach out to the spirit of her friend she called out, "Rong Yan? What happened to you? Where are you?"

"I'm fine, Aloi and I are returning to Aupaluk, I need to share with you some news," said Rong Yan.

"What is it?" Tanaraq questioned him, he continued to float in front of the two love birds, "I met someone who helped me remove this blockage that prevented me from learning waterbending at a faster rate than normal. With her help, I was able to speak with Avatar Mun Jin. There was a snowstorm that was about to hit Aupaluk but with his help, I prevented it from occurring this time around. I hope to see you soon," he explained.

He dispersed from in front of Tanaraq she shouted, "Rong Yan wait!"

Rong Yan opened his eyes they were far from Aumanil's hut and now out in the wilderness again, the old man still soothed his creature with love. While Aloi steered the animal toward the city he sensed a high spiritual connection to his airbending master.

"Now when we are physically separate, we will always be together spiritually," he smiled.

"You-you can project your spirit?" she guessed, Rong Yan nodded.

The next morning came, the guard that patrolled the halls woke up to a slap across his face. He groaned and came to his senses, "Baotong!"

He and the other guard raced to the door of the chambers of the Earth Prince. The governor and his men behind them they came to a gruesome scene, Governor Jingshen screamed so loud it echoed across the estate. The royal guards of the prince ran to the scream others found the corpses of guards in corners.

"We were infiltrated by someone!" shouted a soldier of House De Tou.

Governor Jingshen fell to his knees hopeless he didn't know how to tell the Earth King about this grim scene. The royal guards burst through the door and encountered the scene, "Where's Prince Baotong?" the captain shouted.

Jingshen pointed to Baotong's pale corpse and as he wept for the scene he had witnessed. One of the guards gagged and threw up inside the bathroom. He then exited the chambers of the dead prince he wasn't able to handle what he saw. The prince sat in his bed, his blood stained his naked body, a large dagger had been plunged into his chest, his genitals had been castrated, and his throat had been slit. There were things and furniture knocked over.

The dagger was of Northern Water Tribe design and made of whale shark bone, a bloodstained identification booklet was on the floor with a thumbprint. The captain of the governor's guard picked it up, he read the name 'Sagluruk'.

"The poor fool left his identification papers behind, he's from the Northern Water Tribe," mentioned the captain of the governor's guard. One of the men stepped up to his superior with the scroll clutched in his hand.

"Captain, I found this. You should read it, it looks official," said the guard. The captain took the scroll from his hand and opened the scroll he read the letter.

"You are to travel to Kunlun City, Kunlun within the Qiangda Kingdom we need to show these dirt people who's superior. I need you to eliminate the Earth Prince, my sources say he will be within the city spreading propaganda for the Earth King.

Be there on time and eliminate him when he's most vulnerable, Anguta will be most proud of you when you've sent the boy to the Spirit World.

Regards,

Chief Cupun of the Northern Water Tribe"

"I need scribes to send this immediately to the Earth King along with a letter describing the incident in detail. Those damned snowbacks broke the treaty!" shouted the captain of the guard.

"Take Jingshen to his bunker, now!" barked the captain.

The soldiers mobilized themselves and picked up the saddened governor while the captain ordered the royal guards to clean up the mess. The royal guards were to leave the capital of Kunlun province with the corpse of the prince now. Their morales were very low after the death of the prince. War with the Northern Tribesmen was imminent.