And here we go chapter 27.
Sorry for the wait I was focusing on future chapters and restoring things as I had to change a few things around from what I originally planned.
So here we go…
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Beifong! Beifong!" Yira shouts, her uninjured hand rooting around on where Lin had been dragged down.
"Shit!" She hissed.
Feeling the environment shifting darker she took a shuddering deep breath to regulate her emotions.
She couldn't afford to lose control in here of all places. The spirit world still held a ton of mysteries and she wasn't too keen on finding them out today.
The downside of having Raava spirit energies means this world will react to her emotional state. But one thing did puzzle her was the travel.
Zaheer could make himself teleport to one place to another. Like dropping Awei into the fog. Or when Korra goes to find Jinora after the vines had grabbed her. She could understand that if she were here physically it would be a problem, but meditation hadn't produced any results.
How did they do that? She has tried it but nothing. She couldn't teleport with her bending here.
The energy here was too strong for her to make a connection to travel. It was like a dense fog that took over her vision. No matter how far she looked she couldn't see the other end.
Feeling her energies swirling in her stomach her eyes shifted to the deep red, her fingers dug into the grass.
"Where is Beifong?" Her voice deepening with malice.
"Do not bother that spirit, Fraction. We needed to speak with you alone!"
Yira twisted on her heel, eyes glaring up newly arrived spirit.
It was a Dragon Eel spirit. It looked different. Probably not the one Korra meets in the future.
"You could have just asked." She growled, shuffling her injured hand up to her shoulder for support.
"We sent Akari's other half -Kuragari to collect you from the physical world? "
"Collect!? He attacked me and nearly ripped off my hand." Yira snarled venomously at the calm floating spirit above her.
"And what do you mean other half?" She added as it occurred to her on what he said.
"Kuragari shouldn't have attacked you?" His voice was passive but that wasn't what got her scrutiny.
His eyes had a flash of alarm, but he hid it well.
"Yeah, well...he did. He wouldn't listen to Akari. Nothing. He just attacked."
"While that was unfortunate, we didn't send him without reason. but now your here without Kageyami listening. We have a lot to inform you about it."
Yira looked at them bewildered. Just what was so important that they sent a spirit to get her.
Wait...did he say Kageyami?
XxxX
Yira stirred as pain radiated from her skull. As if someone were using a hammer and her head was the anvil.
The uncomfortable bed suggested that she was back on the air temple island. Her limbs felt heavy, like rocks being pulled by gravity, and what was worse was that her right hand felt like it was burning up. The bites more precisely.
Her green eyes open weakly to spot a man perched on the side of the bed next to her. She stiffened immensely, but something about him rang familiar.
"w... who ... are...you..." She croaked weakly, her head pounding loudly. He moved closer so she could see him better.
Black hair and deep sea-green eyes...
Where had she seen him before? He looked to be in his mid or late 30s. He had pale skin, and he had sharp facial features indicated he was a descendent of the fire nation but with his eyes and stocky build suggested Earth kingdom too.
His eyes flicker to the doorway but he turned his attention back to her.
"Listen... I can't be here for too long. But the seals in your memories are straining. Have you been experiencing flashback or headaches when that shadow leaves you?"
Yira's eyes widen in shock. How did he know about Kage?
"...I...yessss..." She groaned as she tried to move but her arms ache in protest...
"I can't tell you my name just yet. To many ears around. We can converse when there's no risk of being caught. There's too much to tell you..." The man sighs, running his hand through his shaggy black hair which fell to his ears.
"...when?" Her eyes bore into his.
"Soon. Just not here?"
Yira looked at him, getting annoyed at his cryptic and loose answers. But something in his tone suggested his sincerity on what he meant.
"...Where?" She mutters as her weariness began to take hold.
"Somewhere where that monster can't hear us."
Confusion flicked over her face as a serious one washed over his.
In a flash, Yira gasped as his hand clamps over her mouth and his knee hitting her hard on her mid stomach, pinning her down into the bed. She tried to yell out but it only came out as a muffled gargled as she felt cold liquid running down her throat, her left hand trying to remove the man's hand around her mouth while her right was pinned down by the man's other hand, his grip on her arm and wrist was impressive but painful.
Her eyes traced down to see very thin vial between his fingers that was around her mouth. Roughly it looked to hold a few mls at best.
"Mmm... mmm..." Her muffled cries died down as black dots lined her vision.
"I'm sorry...Sylvia." Was the last words she heard as her eyes rolling back as she fell into oblivion.
"You just need to sleep a little longer." The man whispered, removing his hand from the now unconscious teen.
His fingers pulling out another bigger vial from his pocket and tipping it down her throat.
Her mind was a mess... Time to fix it...
The man's green eyes shifted to a crimson red as he glared out the window.
If only she knew of dangers she was in...
XxX
"No. No. No...it can't be true..." Yira gasped, her head hammering painfully in her skull.
It couldn't have been a lie. All of it.
Her breathing began to increase as flashes of memories surfaces. She couldn't pinpoint on what they were about. It was going too fast, but she could feel the emotions that were there.
Fear. Sadness... Rage.
"...no..." She whimpered as she falls to her knees, clutching her broken wrist.
It had been so real...
"Shutupshutupshutup" she hissed clutching her head in pain. Voices of people she had met echoing through her skull.
"Everyone just shut up" she whimpers. The spirits floated or stood stationary quiet as her head felt like a hammer to a nail.
The first month of her life in this world... A Genjutsu.
The cave was already built when she awoke there. Kage had just put the illusion in her mind.
The conversation with Aang.
Never happened.
Just the illusion Kage implanted to keep her away from what was really going on.
But the pain she had felt when Aang- no! Kage had inflicted on her...
That was real. The portal was real, she had used it before. Long before waking in the cave.
Her conscious manipulated before getting tossed into it. A way to get in her head.
It all made sense now. It explained why Kage was always avoiding teaching her on shadow bending.
'Letting you figure it out by yourself'
Bullshit.
He wanted her weak and inexperienced. But for what?
Yira couldn't figure that out. It was still too foggy to remember.
She needed answers. Fear began to creep its way into her mind. Yira took several shaky breaths, pain in her hand reminded her that was she was still here. Alive and alone.
She would have to face Kage sooner or later. If he knew that she was talking to these spirits, he could make her forget.
She couldn't afford to do that.
"I...I... Thank you for informing me. I... I just need some time. Time to think." Yira croaked, wiping her face from tears that she didn't know she had shed.
Slowly the spirits vanished from sight to her relief.
...
...
...
...
...
...Shit...
...She still had to find Beifong...
Xxxxx
After pulling apart her mesh undershirt and crafting it into a sling and bandage, Yira went and spent a few hours meditating.
Trying to understand what had happened to her in the past but she always came to a blockage.
A few kind spirits settled around her for her meditation. After asking, one went off in search of Beifong for her.
She got a few flashes that she could remember.
A woman with amber eyes and long black hair. Dressed in fire nation clothes. Her angled face filled with love and happiness. But her eyes held a troubled look.
She could vaguely remember the smell of her perfume that she wore all the time. It brought a smile to Yira's face.
Mother.
It was her Mother.
What did Kageyami do...
XxX
"Fraction."
Yiras head twitches to the incoming spirit. She had curled up by some root. A few feet away from some spirits. She needed her space.
"Yes." Her voice was low to respond. Her head was thumping painfully, even talking quietly hurt.
"Your friend is in the Pit of souls."
"Of course, she is?" Yira groaned, cradling her arm.
"Thank you. I need to go get her." She grunted as her hand flared up in pain. Taking a few deep breaths, she began to trek towards a faded stone structure in the distance.
Time save Beifong and get out of here.
XxX
The next day.
Asami sighed as she zipped down the street in her moped, the mid-morning sun hung high in the sky.
Yira hadn't shown up. They had arranged to meet up a few days ago for hanging out and another Spar.
Last time it was fun despite the restrictions from Yira still healing from fractured ribs.
Asami enjoyed her company and she was one of the very few people she would consider as a close friend. Which has gotten stronger over the last few months. Working with her Dad at Future Industries didn't leave her with many friends outside of it. All her school friends had gone off elsewhere or she had lost contact with.
The last couple of weeks had been a strain, as Yira was busy with her new Air bending lessons but she had seen Yira trying to make an effort to work around that.
Well, before the spar she had planned the morning. Tea shop and a trip around the racing tracks.
At most, Yira was five minutes late but she had waited till over an hour at the tea shop. And Yira is tea mad, she wouldn't want to miss out on that.
Had she got it wrong? Did Yira think they were meeting up tomorrow instead?
She paused slightly at a junction. Yira's bakery shouldn't be too far from here.
With a destination in mind, she continued onward.
Her bike hummed loudly as she went.
Out of nowhere, a figure ran from a front of a truck.
Instantly she pulled on the breaks, making a loud screech that got the man's attention. But the momentum of her bike was still fast going.
The man yelled out as the bike slammed into him. Sending him flying back into the road.
Jumping off her bike she ran over to the man.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry. I didn't see you." She said apologetically, yanking off her helmet.
"How could you not see me? I mean, I was j-ju... I was... I-I- Wow... That was..." The guy splutters and coughs as he saw her. His cheeks blushing bright red with embarrassment that matches his red scarf.
"Are you ok? Did I hurt you? I'm such an idiot" Asami blurted out, grabbing the man's arm to help him up off the floor. He seemed familiar. Where had she seen him before?
"Don't worry about it, I'm fine. My brother hits me harder than that every day in practice." The guy reassured brushing himself off.
Practice?
"Wait, I recognised you. Your Mako, right? You play for the Fire Ferrets."
"Yeah, that's me," Mako confirmed as Asami beamed at him.
As she looked closer at him, he looks cute, handsome and around her age.
"I'm so embarrassed, my names Asami." She blushes as she introduces herself.
"Let me make this up to you somehow."
She ponders on it for a second. According to the papers he wasn't seeing anyone so...
"Uh... How about I treat you to dinner? Tonight. 8:00 Kwong's Cuisine."
"Uh, Kwongs? I don't have any clothes nice enough for a place that classy." Mako said uncertainty as Asami put her helmet back on.
"I'll take care of that. All you need to do is show up. So… It's a date?" She hints.
"Uh... Yeah, I guess so. I'll see you tonight." He said happily.
Asami could see a big grin on his face as she drove off.
Yira was going to get a good laugh out of then she tells her. That, Asami knew.
X
The bell dinged loudly as she entered the bakery, her helmet tucked under her arm as she went. Perhaps Mako might like some of this stuff?
She smiled as she saw the workers putting out fresh bread, the smell from the sweet pastry was enticing.
Often Yira would bring a few sweet treats when they hung out, especially after fiddling with Satomoblie parts and racing.
"Hey, miss. Did you want anything?" Came a voice of a woman who had finished placing out some interesting pasty dishes. She had brown wavy hair that was typed up, her green eyes looking a little troubled.
"I... Yeah. I was wondering where Yira is. We were supposed to have met up earlier, but she didn't show."
The woman stiffened which Asami noted as odd.
"Yira? Wait you don't know?"
"Know what?" She said, unconsciously crossing her arms as she gave the woman her full attention.
"Well... Master Tenzin sent one of the White Louts members to tell us that Yira and Chief Beifong were attacked by a corrupted spirit. The chief is off work and Miss Teselo hasn't regained consciousness. But remains on the island."
Asami stared at the woman for a long moment, her initial feeling of annoyment and concern had now switched to full-on worry with apprehension.
In a flash, she turned on her heel and out the door, which slammed loudly in its frame.
She hurried to her bike and took off for the docks.
Xx
"I'm sorry but the island is in lockdown."
Asami growled to herself as she had spent the last few minutes trying to talk to the two White Louts guards, who were transporting stuff to a boat in preparation to go to the air temple.
"Please. My friend is there. Yira Teselo. I need to know that she's alright." She argues, but she could tell by their body language they weren't going to budge.
"Listen, ma'am, I'm sure the lockdown is only temporary-"
"It's ok. She's with me."
Asami head jerks to the side to see a woman walking towards them.
She was clearly from the Water tribe from all that blue, but she knew from the newspaper that this was the Avatar. Slung over her shoulder was the familiar sand gourd, she notices a small label on the harness. By the looks of it, it had been kept at the police station.
"Avatar Korra, the Island-"
"I know but she is one Yira friends."
Asami stood stiff as a debate began between the two of them until finally, the Louts guard relented.
"Thank you." She whispers to her as she gets on the boat, out of earshot of the two guards.
"Don't mention it, I was beginning to wonder when I would get to meet one of Yira's friends from the city. Tenzin likes to keep me on the island apart from when I'm training early at the arena." Korra scowled to herself in the last part.
"My names Asami." She introduces, holding her hand out.
"Korra. It's a pleasure. Is good to put a name to a face. Yira has told me bits about you." Asami hid her wince as the Avatar shook her hand in a tight grip.
"Really? What she say?" Her curiosity was now peaked, mentally grateful for this minor distraction as the ship took off.
Korra chuckled under her breath as she leaned onto the wooden side.
"Nothing bad. Only that you're smart, pretty and great in a spar."
Asami blushed slightly at the high praise Yira had passed on.
They settled on a few moments of silence, trying to figure out what to say next.
"So... Uh... How long have you known Yira?" Korra asked, her foot tapping impatiently at the slow flow of the boat, no doubt eager to get off.
"Roughly three or four months. We hit it off pretty well. After I technically hit her with my moped."
"Really? Was she ok?"
"Yeah. She was carrying a huge bag of flour over her shoulder at the time and it went everywhere."
Asami and Korra delved into small talk during the ride.
Korea winced when Asami had brought up the Fire Ferrets and the upcoming tournament. But seeing as she didn't know Asami very well she kept the financial difficulties out of the conversation.
When they arrived at the island, they were greeted by Master Tenzin. The son of Avatar Aang.
Korra spoke to him briefly, he gave her a warm if not a strained smile as he welcomed her to the island.
In all honestly, she couldn't blame him for being stressed out from the last few days had given him, according to what Korra had told her.
Two spirit wolfs, and a lot of city and palace damage. Not to mention a stressful council meeting yesterday about Amon and the equalists who had hacked the radio signal last night.
"Her rooms this way. On the woman's side."
They walked in silence as they got to the sleeping quarters of Air Temple Island.
Asami gasped as she saw Yira. She was pale. Very pale. Which brought out the redness of her scars that peaked through the opening of her sleeve and collar.
She jumped slightly as Korra slid the door shut loudly.
"There's nothing wrong with her physically. I've healed her physical wounds." Korra grumbled dumping down the gourd, pulling up a chair.
"And mentally?" She inquired pulling up the stool from the desk area.
"I'm not sure. Which is why Tenzin had arranged to take her to the south pole to meet with Katara. She's the best healer in the world."
"Will she be able to fix her?" Her foot tapping on the floor slightly.
"Hopefully. She was always better at healing than me, I'm staying here to keep up my training while Tenzin's away." Korra scowled at the last bit.
Asami chewed her lip as she began to debate.
"Can... Can I go with her? I think if she wakes up it would be good to have a familiar face if you're not going." Asami asked. She had lived in Republic City all her life and on extremely rare occasions they left the city. Small holidays mainly. Especially after the Steel Express fiasco when she was thirteen.
Asami had always been curious about what the Southern Water tribe was like, she had just never had the time or opportunity.
XxxxX
Flashback
"So... This is the pit... Fuck... I hope Beifong is near an edge..." Yira grumbled under her breath as she descended into the fog.
As soon as she was in it, the fog immediately rolled behind her. Cutting her off.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she slammed her foot hard into the ground.
Feeling her earth bending grip rippling out around her, glitching as it reached people feet.
It was strange. Normally if she were to attempt this it was much harder.
Was Kage leeching her abilities? It would explain what happened at Zaofu several months ago. His pitiful excuses that followed after she passed out in the pond.
Going through the rough outlines she dismissed the male form; she could see she ploughed forward.
Come on... Where are you...
Small whispers echoing slightly in her ear, but she paid them no mind.
"BEIFONG!"
"BEIFONG!"
"LIN! FOR FUCKS SAKES! LISTEN TO ME AND ANSWER"
Yira's throat ached as she hollered out for any recognition. She had sensed a load of metal coming from this direction, but she still hadn't run into Lin yet.
It had been roughly an hour since she had gone looking for her.
...Run Sylvia, run now...Go away sand freak...Fathers a monster...Don't trust the shadows...Don't let the darkness inside...
"Stop." Yira whimpered as the voices whispered louder in her ears.
...I know you kid... You will do as your told... or you'll end up as like others...
"No..." She whispered as the fog morphed into a woman.
Mother.
"My baby girl. All grown up. And so beautiful."
Yira's body froze as the woman's hand brush against her cheek. It was warm, her touch radiated...love... Affection...
"I imagine your sister is a spitting image of you. Except she has my eyes."
"S-S-Sister?" Yira spluttered out. Bewilderment written all over her face.
"Your Father. Dam that bastard. He has stolen so much of your memory. He has taken too much from us. Don't let him win."
"N-no. Wait." Yira cried out, trying to grab her mother's arm but she had faded into the fog.
"No. Don't leave me." She croaked as tears slid down her cheek... Don't leave me alone...
... it's your fault...
...you should have tried harder...
The sharp deeper voice cut into her skull; rage began to simmer in her stomach.
The taunting voice was coming back...
No.
She won't allow it...
"SHUT UP! YOU DONT KNOW ME! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Yira roared. Her skin tingled as black mist or fog seemed to seep from her skin. Mainly from her back and arms. Like smoke in the wind- it streamed behind her.
It looked like something Reaper from overwatch could do. Or the Death Eaters weird smoking effect.
The white fog recoiled from the presence of the darkness seeping around her. Yira face pulls into a dark grin as she could feel the dark fog obeying her command. It was like an extra hand or limb. She could feel all of it.
"Stay. Out. Of. My. Head." She growled marching forward. The white fog thins out like oil to water with her own dark mist.
"Chief!"
Relief shot through her system as she saw Lin kneeling on the ground, Several meters away.
She ran to the woman and shook her shoulder.
"Come on let's go." She hissed. Lin blank eyes stared dully outwards to the fog around them.
"Oh for fucks sake," Yira growled as she grabbed Lin's arms and tugged her to her feet. In which she didn't react. She just followed on where Yira was taking her.
"When I get out of here. I want a good cup of tea..." She grumbled.
A nap too. A nap sounded wonderful right now...
Slowly the edge of the prison came into focus and her black mist faded from her body shortly after leaving the pit.
Her skin felt oddly tingly and cold after that.
Her jaw clenches as the pain in her hand flares up in pain as she makes a stop a good distance away from the pit.
She plonked Lin down by a big tree root before taking her own seat.
Exhaustion was taking its toll but her eye catches something in the woods.
...Now those would make good spears...
XxxX
"Is she still out of it!?" Beifong said as she stood at the end of the girls' bed.
"Yes. She hasn't stirred at all in the last day and a half. We're taking her south to my mother tomorrow."
Lin nodded looking at the teenager thoughtfully.
"I've found a lead on the group who tried to take her. A man will be coming in a few days' time. He didn't say much on the phone, he seemed to be paranoid that whoever these people are can tap into phone lines, so he's coming in person to talk."
She could feel the disapproval for working while she should be resting up, but her mind was too occupied to rest. She had contacts outside Republic City, and one had a lead that she was determined to follow. This group is dangerous. That she could tell.
Could they be worse than the Equalists? That had yet to be seen. But probably, if they could multiply themselves and stick to non-adhesive surfaces.
Equalists just went for the Chi points.
"Here." Lin handed him an envelope containing her report from the recent events in the spirit world. That should get them off her back.
"Thank you. I'll be sure to give this to Han."
"Right," Lin muttered. Her eyes narrowed at the girl.
"Lin what are you-" Tenzin said alarmed as the chief strode forward and pulled the girls sleeve up.
Dark bruising was around her forearm. It looked to be like someone had grabbed her very tightly. But Lin knew she hadn't received them at the palace or the spirit world.
These were new.
Going from the size it looked like it came from a male. Not Korra. While she was muscular it didn't look like her hand size. On top of that Korra would have healed all bruising and cuts that she had received the other night.
Someone was here!
Ignoring Tenzin, she pulled the girls covers off and tugged her shirt up.
There!
A darker bruise on her stomach. Like someone had hit her hard. But the shape was too big for a fist. A knee perhaps?
... Like if someone had pinned you down, a hand to keep you from fighting back...
"Someone was here!"
That sent a chill down Tenzin's spin.
"W-what?" He sputtered, coming over for a closer inspection.
"Those weren't here. She didn't get these bruises from the fight." Lin growled her body tensing as it dawned on them. Her new armoured creaked in its joints.
"The white louts have the island on lockdown since you came back." Anger began to lace his tone, but Lin ignores it.
It was anger that his home had been invaded and Korra's room was only a door away. It exposed a vulnerability to the small air nation and the Avatar.
It didn't sit well with them.
"I'm not leaving this room. You get the White Lout's Sentinel tripled around the island. Two outside her windows and doors." Lin barked. Tenzin hurried out the door without an argument.
He felt sick. He could have come in to find her throat slit without so much of a sound. Or his family...
They needed to leave. And soon.
Xx
Asami packed her bag quickly. It took a lot to persuade her father on letting her go to the south for a few days. He was very reluctant, but she had smoothed things over and told him her best friend needed moral support.
He had smiled and hugged her. Wishing her to return when she got better.
She called Mako to let him know that she would be out of town for a few days but was eager to meet up again when she got back.
She had enjoyed her evening with him last night. It got her mind off her worrying about Yira for a few hours. Mako had been surprised when she told him about Yira. He had no idea that had happened and that Korra missed their training session to attend to her.
She diverted their conversation to something better- that didn't work. It was mainly about the upcoming championship in which she learned of their financial difficulties. It did occur to her that Korra had switched conversation when she had brought up the championship on the boat. Mako had his pride, he would never ask. She could see how much it meant to him. She had caught all their matches this season.
He had put so much time and effort into his job. Only to trip on one last hurdle. She had met two out of three Fire Ferret. One being the Avatar. It would be a shame if they couldn't compete.
She made a mental note to talk to her father when she comes back from the south.
Xx
Asami hopped out from her car and headed towards the docks. She had given her name and they had let her pass this time without trouble. At least they knew to expect her.
Halfway across the sea she saw a police airship pass and pull up at the island.
"I'm here," Asami said loudly as she saw Tenzin standing next to the chief of police by the open door of the airship.
"Thank you for coming. I'm sure Yira will appreciate having you there. She's already on board the airship."
As she passed Asami saw Chief Beifong roll her eyes at Tenzin.
Asami made a beeline for the gurney that was resting next to the seats. Dumping her bag down she immediately went to check on Yira. Pulling her blanket up before sitting down on the seat close to her.
Asami didn't ask why Chief Beifong was coming along. It wasn't her business. She just wanted her friend back.
Xx
On the journey, she learnt that they took the airship because it was faster than the Air Bison. And Tenzin wanted his available one- Oogie to stay just in case his family needed him.
She was a little disappointed. They looked really fun to fly with.
When arrived at the south they were taken to the Katara's personal healing hut.
Asami stayed out in the empty waiting area while Tenzin and Beifong went to talk with Katara privately.
After some time both adults left. Each going their own way.
Pulling out a book she began to read. Hours seemed to float by.
"Hey there!" Asami jumped, her book nearly falling from her grasp. Looking on were on the voice came from she saw a woman smiling at her. She looked around Beifongs age, maybe a year or two older but she was dressed in a blue. It looked to be a dress that cut off at the shoulders but had shirt under it that had sleeves. The woman had dark grey hair that was tied up in a long ponytail with a bit of the front to frame her face.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you. I'm Kya. Katara's daughter." The woman introduces, her eyes flicking to the big door to the healing room.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Asami. I'm just waiting for my friend." She mumbles, hugging her book close to her chest. Her gaze going to the door.
Wake up soon Yira...
XxX
"That won't wake her."
Katara head whizzes round to see a man standing by the door.
The water she had swirling around the girl's head stops and goes into a defensive move around them.
Her eyes narrow on the man, but she had trouble trying to focus on his features, but her eyes just slid right of him. It was a little unnerving.
But his eyes. They were red. Blood red. That was what she could see.
"Who are you?" She commanded, her water shifting to ice shards.
"No one."
"Why are you here?" She said getting straight to the point. Something about the eyes was rather hypnotic the more she looked at them.
"To wake her up."
Katara gasped as the room began to spin.
The man lunges forward to catch the elderly woman and guided her over to an empty seat. Her eyes staring blankly out at the world.
"Nearly time to wake up Sylvia. We have a plan. Just need to be patient." He whispers to the teen.
His hand going to her temple as he stood behind the bed.
Back to work. And hopefully no interruptions.
Xx
"What the fuck!" Was the first thing Yira blurted as she regained awareness.
She seemed to be in some sort of dusty dunes. The sand was everywhere.
It looked to go on for miles. Staring into the distance she saw what seems to be a row trees outline. Like a starting of a forest.
"Jesus Christ." She grumbles, brushing the sand from her back, her feet sinking into the sand as she started to walk.
While she walked, Yira noticed that the high sun above her was not conveying heat that you could expect. In fact, she couldn't feel any temperature. Hot. Cold. None.
...please don't tell me I'm in the spirit world...
"You're not!"
Yira swivel and tumbled over at the announcement behind her.
"You! You're that guy! You drugged me!" She accused angrily, getting up and stalked over to him. The urge to hit him was high.
"I did. It was the only way I could bring you here without that...Thing from listening in."
Yira stiffened. How did he know? What was she missing?
"W-Where am I?" She said uncertainty. The man had a small smile that tugged at his face.
"This is your mindscape."
Yira scowled.
"Fine. Say if I believe you why is my mind a dessert. And don't you fucking say I'm empty-headed."
The man chuckled at that.
"No. We're just on the edge of your minds. Your ability to weave sand had crafted this to protect it."
"Right." She grumbled, flexing her left hand. The pain was gone. It looked fine now. Vague flashes of fighting at the palaces with a fixed hand.
Good, it had been healed.
"Rayon. My name is Rayon. I'm your uncle."
Yira felt her whole body stiffen.
Wait... What.
"But... I don't... Have f-family." She struggled. She was confused. Just what was going on.
"I thought that might be the case. Here take my hand"
She stared at Rayon for a long moment. His hand laid out for her to take.
"Alright." She whispered. His handclasp tightly around her and the sand suddenly shifted around her.
X
"What's this place. Its feels... Odd." Yira commented as they walked through the streets of an empty town that lay inside the tall forest of trees.
"It was your hometown. It's long gone now."
Yira could see the sadness that lingered in his eyes as he spoke about it.
"Why do the doors have Fūinjutsu on them. Half of them looked funny too."
Yira pointed out. Most of the doors looked sealed away. Missing the handle with ink written all over the door.
The strange ones had pulsing black vines around them. Dripping in what she could assume was poison.
"The doors with ink are my work. You knew information that had to stay quiet. The vines are the work of Kageyami. Your Father."
Yira stared at him wide eyes.
"M-my Father."
"Technical speaking. He is a dark spirit. He gains power by stealing the bodies of his children. You're true father. The man he possessed, he had tricked and stolen his body when he was sixteen. My brother."
"I feel sick." Yira moaned as it started to click.
"He has been after you for some time. You are one of the very few that inherited his shadows bending. Two years ago, he nearly succeeded in taking you, but we had a failsafe. It locked away your memories. Your mind filled in the gaps."
Two years ago. That was when she awoke in the cave. With Kage in her head.
He was using her. Manipulating her.
Holy fuck she gave him a wood body...
"Why did you choose the name Yira Teselo?"
"...I-I d-don't... I don't know. It felt right."
Rayon shook his head.
"No. That was a subconscious instruction I left if Kageyami was in your head. It let me know that you were compromised."
Yira felt like she had been punched in the gut.
"So... I had a life before the cave... I get that. But why now. Why come to me now." She murmured.
"Because of this?"
She gasped as Rayon grabbed her right arm. Showing her the big teeth marks that layed there.
"Your bites have spiritual energy lock away in them. It lay dormant until your run-in with the Avatar. The spiritual energy is positive while Kageyami is negative. He can feel the pain more strongly than you do. He had been separating himself more frequently."
"And that's good right?"
But the look on his face said otherwise.
"No. It's bad for you too. Your half spirit and its corruption is starting. I've found a solution, but it will take time."
"Oh."
Yira looked at him expectantly but he looked conflicted.
"As much as I want to say. I can't, not yet. Your mind is still vulnerable to Kageyami influence. My seals have already begun to degrade. That's why you're having flashbacks and headaches."
Yira grimace as she thought back to the fire incident. The pain then was intense.
"C-can I have a moment alone. I just need to prosses it all."
Xx
She wandered around the town; more buildings had sickly black vines around them.
Yira began to follow on the direction that they had sprouted from.
She could feel her face wrinkling at the trees. They too had been corrupted by the vines.
Stepping over them carefully, she delved deeper into her mind.
"Oh fuck..." She grunted, her face turning green with disgust.
What she was looking at was a large crater with a big black blob. It stuck out the ground like a leech.
It was like a parasite.
It pulsated like a heartbeat. The black vines twitching to it as they ley buried into the ground
"That is his connection to you. His invasion point. It's half its size when he's not about."
"That's half?!" Yira said horrified.
"As I said. We have a plan, but you can't be the know. We have to seal away your memory again until your mind is cleared and safe."
Yira felt like sobbing. Her world had just been up routed and he wasn't going to help her. Not emotional at least.
All she wanted was a hug...
Xx
Yira looked around her mindscape hours later.
Rayon stood stiffly, uncertain on what to say next. His lip twitches as he was phrasing his words.
"I... I understand that I can't know what you've got planned. If I knew, then Kage would too. And that would be disastrous." Yira said sadly.
Ray nodded, "yeah. I've checked the seals and added a few more temporary ones. But I will warn you that you will not remember this conversation after waking up. I'll have to seal this away for a while. All of it. Your trip to the spirit world and your knowledge of your group too. They have already been informed too of your circumstances" He sighed making Yira pout.
She still had tones of questions.
"So, this will be like a forgotten dream."
She flinched as his hand clamped onto her shoulder reassuringly.
"Yes, but not for long. And now it's time for you to wake up!"
XXXXXXXXXX
As I've said I do appreciate constructive criticism but no hate please. I can't say when the next chapter will be posted so bear with me please….
Stay safe and wash your hands