Soothing wind waltzes on a sprightly meadow. Incandescent sunlight dapples over a monk's form. Tree leaves whistle a peaceful tune. Grass blades prod the Avatar's skin but he doesn't stir.
A male dressed in ebony armor and sleek coat observes from afar. Is this stranger a foe or injured villager?
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Byleth stares at the monk perplexedly. Outwardly the mercenary exhibits no emotions but he is curious.
Who is this kid? How'd he end up in the middle of a field? He doesn't look wounded. Had he decided to take a nap in a bandit hideout?
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The monk wears an ivory gorget and simple pauldron. Colorful orange and red silk drapes over his thin frame. Beautiful brocade rivets the fabric. Blue arrow tattoos are a distinguishing feature.
"Hey kid. You've been gone for ages so I decided to –oh. That's why. Who is this guy?"
"A monk. I found him out here."
"Huh. Let's take him back to camp. Who knows if he's a spy or just a lost traveler?"
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Aang is a wanted criminal in the Fire Nation. Ozai and Azula's only obstacle –relentlessly tracking the Avatar from busy cities to deserted countryside. If he falls they'll have access to controlling the whole world. So when Aang woke up in a small room he panicked.
But no captor leaves a prisoner to wander freely.
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He stumbled from a bed to a mirror. Lifting his arms Aang eyes his new attire bewilderingly. Comfy and airy. Fancier than he's used to. There's a belt that holds a leather-bound book. Five stones fashioned in the surface give the volume a magic value.
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"You're finally up. That's sufficient. We had a medic look at you –no wounds."
Aang turns to meet a blue-haired man wiping blood from a dagger. He flinched from the shocking sight. The Avatar must fight for the balance of the world but Aang could never get used to seeing blood.
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"Who are you?"
Byleth's unnerving, analytical gaze latched upon the unknown. "That's what I was wondering."
"Is he up? He is!" Jeralt entered the tent. This guy is older, muscular, and wearing orange armor. In fact, Aang didn't recognize the outfits from any Nation. The soldier's posture is relaxed and nonchalant. Unexpected from an experienced fighter.
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"He's strange but not the strangest I've encountered." He chuckled.
Byleth narrowed his eyes.
"I'm Jeralt and this is my son Byleth."
"We're mercenaries."
"The older man brushed his tawny beard. "Chiefly we hunt outlaws and bandits. Helping out small villages from raids."
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The older studied the monk inquisitively. "I've never seen tattoos like that. Are you part of the Church of Seiros?"
"Seiros?" Byleth asked.
"You've never been there. It's at the center of Fodlon."
"Fodlon? Seiros?" Aang blinked. "I've never heard of those places."
"How's that possible?"
"Not many visit Fodlon." Jeralt crossed his arms. "A mystery huh? We're isolated from other nations. Maybe you got shipwrecked here."
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Byleth unrolled a giant map on a table. Over a hot meal the three discussed topography. "No Fire Nation? Or Ba Sing Se? No Water Tribe either."
"Never heard of those. And I've researched continents outside of Fodlon."
"What? But aren't benders a thing? Right?"
"Benders?"
"Perhaps an uncommon class?" Byleth guessed.
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"Wait. You don't know what benders are?"
Byleth shook his head.
Aang stood and moved, mirroring the techniques his friends taught him. "Not everyone is a bender. But people can control one element." He usually has to hide his identity as the Avatar but it might be necessary to reveal if Aang has to find a way back home.
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"I," he sighed. "Am the Avatar. I'm the only one who can bend all four elements. It's my job to make sure the world has balance." Legs and arms move elegantly like a well-practiced dance. Tea from Byleth's cup coiled upwards. Fast as a serpent it strikes candlelight. Tiny flames died with a hiss. "Water." Aang then adapted to a robust stance. Chips of earth float and fly like arrows hitting an array of pots, pans, and drinkware. "Earth." Mini tornados appear on Aang's palms. "Air."
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"Unbelievable!"
"Incredible." Byleth said.
Aang sheepishly rubbed his neck. "I still have to learn fire-bending…"
Jeralt smiled. He's impressed! "Why not stick with us, kid? At least until you're able to go home?"
"You'd be a valuable unit in our group." Byleth agreed.
Aang decided to join the mercenaries. These soldiers are friendly and knowledgeable. Additionally as the Avatar, he must help who he can. No matter what world he is in.
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'What if I can't get back home?' Aang glanced over some bushes at a bandit camp. Castle ruins create a shabby fortress. 'It's already been a week and I have no clues. I miss Sokka, Momo, Appa, Katara, and Toph. I hope they're safe…'
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The monk had quickly become great friends with Byleth. He'd offered to train him. To provide information about their world and Fodlon. The pair had gathered many an adventure in a short span of time. Aang enjoyed Byleth's company. It reminded him of his journeys with his friends in his world.
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Byleth grabbed Aang's shoulder and whispered, "Let's go. A few are higher level units so-"
"Right. Use my bending powers."
"And be careful."
Aang admits Byleth is an extraordinary tactician. His wits excel over his lack of external emotions. The mercenary is always levelheaded. Panic is nonexistent when Byleth is watching the battleground. Coupled with Aang's magic abilities they defeat adversaries quickly.
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Crescent winds dash through air to slice at bandits. Many draw their weapons and run towards the monk. Giant swirls of earth erupt from the ground to make a blockade. Aang has no trouble disarming outlaws. Byleth doesn't either. He cuts through ranks with only a dagger and sword. The mercenary's coat arms flap like lively flags in the wind.
But where's the bandit group's leader?
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"You weaklings think you can just run in and take all my treasure?! This isn't your territory!" A man upon a horse appears, flourishing a longsword. The monk dodged swings and his opponent evaded Aang's counterattacks. Aang staggered from the outlaw's extreme agility. Metal stabs his chest. Blood sprays from the fresh wound. The sword went straight through.
Stunned, Aang can only stare at the weapon.
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The mercenary asks Sothis for help. To rewind time. Aang is the only friend Byleth ever had. The only other person to understand his agony of being displaced in society. Byleth must save him.
Events reverse. Sword is yanked out from the monk as the bandit leader steps backwards a few feet.
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Knowing what happens next Byleth dives between Aang and the bandit leader. The monk stares at his friend incredulously.
Byleth flung his dagger at the outlaw's unarmored shoulder. Unsheathing a sword he stabbed the bandit's abdomen. Aang summoned slabs of earth, chucking the rogue across the field.
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"Did…did you," Aang shook his head. "Save me from a fatal blow?"
"It's a power I have."
The monk rubbed his head, confused. "Can you also enter the Spirit World?"
"No. I…there's a Goddess spirit attached to me. I don't know how or why. But with limited uses I can rewind time in combat."
"Whoa, that's amazing! So if somebody is in danger you can change things to rescue them! Maybe you're like me."
"Really? I don't-"
"I think you could change the fate of Fodlon, Byleth. Like how I have to restore balance to my world." Aang weakly chuckled. He wiped a tear away with an arm. "If I ever get back."
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Byleth put a hand on Aang's shoulder. "With powers like yours and mine existing, anything is possible. I promise to I'll do all I can to get you back home."
Aang smiled. "Thanks Byleth."
He nodded. "I'm sure your story isn't complete yet. One day somehow you'll return."
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Maybe being in Fodlon, Aang had to accomplish another goal to become the Avatar. At least one robust enough to face Ozai in war. Another test on a tedious, required journey. Like Katara and Toph, Byleth will be another mentor for him.
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Jeralt directed Byleth and Aang through dense woodland. Ahead is a clearing with watch towers. "Help them out! I'll counterattack any rogues that run."
Aang sees some teens encountering bandits.
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Clad in elegant ebony uniforms, yet each has their own style mixed in. Blue, red, and yellow. An ivory-haired, lavender-eyed woman confidently swings her axe, felling any who defied her. Scary.
The man next to her is fighting three opponents with a spear. His handsome features are alight with dangerous glee and ferocity. He is turning the arena into a bloodbath. Terrifying.
Lastly, a clever man wielding a bow. He stays back to draw an arrow. Studious eyes evaluate every weakness. The youth also exhibits a mischievous, playful grin.
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Aang admires the bowman. He moves towards him to help. Byleth followed. The monk unlocks the latch of his book and choses one of the three elements he's learned. Byleth waves his sword. The friends swap buoyant looks before running into battle.