The light around her was blinding. It certainly wasn't candle light, nor did the space around her look like a hut or tent. She thought she saw faces though. Masked faced and ones completely unfamiliar to her. It was puzzling. She didn't understand what she was seeing.
A sharp pain hit her in the gut and stung in her shoulder. It was a reminder of what she remembered. The cliffside, the battle. She thought she heard voices, but friend and foe, in pain and in concern. She heard a cranking sound, forcing her curiosity to look over. There was a machine slowly turning as she felt a mask being lifted from her nose and mouth.
"Avatar Korra, how are you feeling?"
Her throat was rough and at first, nothing came out. There was some tugging in one of her arms which caused some pain, but then a wave of relief came over her.
When she woke up again, her room was empty of the masked faces. Korra realized that she was in a hospital bed. Her back was sore and she wanted nothing more than to sit up. It was found to be a hassle and painful.
"Hey, don't move too much." A voice came from the door. The nurse was quick to help her sit up, placing pillows behind her to help with her wounds.
"Is there a current Avatar?"
The nurse paused at the question, "An odd question, but you know that already, Avatar Korra.I have to say, it's nice to have you back. You were gone for about two years. We thought you died."
Korra let out a painful breath, "To be honest, I thought I was dead too."
Later in the day, she had her first visitors. She sat quietly as they talked and said their piece about her return. There were plenty of tears, but she had no words to say. She had her own thoughts and demons to work out, but a smile here and there let her visitors know that she knew they came.
"Korra, where were you?" There's the question she was waiting for. The Avatar stared blankly away from them, unsure how to answer it.
"When you were found, you were bloodied like there was a fight. It was mentioned that you were wearing strange clothing." Tenzin rambled on some. He meant well, she knew but she still didn't know what to say.
"Where's Kuvira?"
The room grew quiet. Each of them in the room looked around, waiting for someone to speak up, so Mako did.
"She was found lying next to you, already dead from what mess you two found."
Korral laid there, unsure of what to say. She couldn't remember what had happened after the sieged hill, "Can you all leave? I just want to be alone right now."
There was some concern about leaving her. Farewells were made and even Asami lingered back some before the door was closed, Korra covered her face. Tears started rolling, but she wasn't sure if they were happy or not. There was a sense of relief, but also sorrow. She failed Kuvira, even if their past together wasn't on good terms. The sight of finally seeing Kuvira in the morgue tugged at her every being. But she also grieved for her friends left in the past. She would not know of their fates on how they died and where. Raava couldn't help.
Another week passed before she was allowed to be on her feet. Tenzin and his family brought her to Air Temple Island when she was released so she could have her space, but to also inquire about what happened. She didn't want to talk about it. No news left them in the dark to worry.
The warmth of the sun on her face was familiar. There was a slight breeze as the noise of Satomobiles cruzed on by. The constant noise was being a bother, actually. She hadn't realized it before her time in the past, but now it was bothersome and the city park wasn't as enjoyable.
"I have the instant noodles, like you asked." Asami sat down near her with the bowls and packages, "And tea, of course."
"Thank you, Asami," Korra sat up, taking the bowl. She would heat the quick meals up before giving Asami one, "Sorry about the odd choice of picnic food. I haven't had these in a couple of years."
"Where were you that didn't have instant noodles?"
She felt the soft staring but Korra didn't want to look up from her bowl, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Try me. What happened after you and Kuvira fought here in the city?"
Korra looked up to meet those determined green eyes. There was a bit of silence before she spoke, choosing her words carefully. The memory of their last fight felt so long ago, "Kuvira tried to defeat me using the spirit vines and her weapon. The vines had other plans in mind and turned the weapon against her. Instead of letting her be killed, I jumped in front."
A honking horn interrupted her thoughts. She felt a hand on her knee as Asami was worried about the fright it caused, "Are you okay? It was just a horn."
Korra simply smiled, "There's a lot of noise here, sorry. Right, my story. Kuvira and I were stuck in the past."
"The past?"
The Avatar nodded with a mouthful of noodles.
"That explains the clothing you and Kuvira were found in. What was it like?"
"You believe me?" There was a nodding before Korra continued with a bit of a smile. That's all Korra needed to hear was that someone believed in what she went through.
Air Temple Island was becoming too stuffy for her. The urge to travel was keeping her awake at night. It was hardly a surprise to her friends when she mentioned that she had to get away. They had their concerns, but Korra quickly denied that she was going away for good. Jinora ended up coming with her.
"What are you looking for in the Southern Air Temple?" The Airbender asked.
"A friend." Korra shouted over the wind, "One that I never expected to make after all."
Jinora knew right away where the Avatar was going. She once made the climb in the tower, but the curiosity of why Korra was going made this time a bit more exciting. Korra would stop occasionally as her side ached, but when they did make it, Korra sat down to admire the statue.
"I thought you lost your connection to the past Avatars?"
"I did, but I know this one. Avatar Nobu."
Korra sat in silence, taking in the statue's features. Avatar Nobu seemed older, at least, that's what the statue seemed to portray. It didn't tell her the full story, but at least she was at ease.
I know. It only took me about five years to finish this one. I wanted to write more and continue to explore a bit more of the past, but like I stated somewhere before, I never kept notes for this story. There was a massive lack of motivation to write for the longest time too. I suppose one of the small bright spots about the world right now is that I have lots of time to just think.
Speaking of current events, I hope everyone is doing well and is healthy. This site tells us where readers/visitors come from, so I certainly hope that in your small part of the world that it isn't too terrible. If it is, I hope you can find that small bright light to hold onto. Stay safe, stay home and this too will pass.
~Sara