Book 1: Air Chapter 10: The Bonds of Friendship
It felt like days had passed since the battle. Zorok spent that time sleeping harder than he'd ever slept before. While his body rested, his spirit could tell something wasn't right. When he opened his eyes he was a little surprised to see he was alone. The sun was shining high so he knew it wasn't too late in the day. He slowly got up allowing his muscles to unlock and flex as he took a deep breath. He could feel a few sharp pains in his ribs and back but he felt confident he could muscle through the pain. He exited the hut expecting to see someone around doing something but nothing. "Lana?" He called out as he looked around. "Kas?" He called out again. He waited to hear footsteps or a voice in the distance but none came. "Anybody?" He said softly. He was starting to grow more and more worried at the moment. As much as it hurt, he forced himself to walk. He had to find out what was going on. He entered the Temple and looked around but it was empty. Every last chamber and room was devoid of any signs of life. "Gosarik!" He called out with a light quiver in his voice. As it echoed throughout the empty Temple, he felt a horrible sense of loneliness start to engulf him. He exited and slowly started walking the grounds hoping beyond hope that everyone was all together somewhere. He went to the Air-Ball court, The Meditation Fields, and even checked The Sages Chamber, but all were empty. Zorok felt tears starting to form as an overwhelming sense of crushing loneliness filled his every breath with sorrow. When he'd reached his limit, he fell to his knees in front of the now dead tree where he'd met Gosarik. It looked like it had been neglected for a century, a sight that broke him even further. "Please... Don't leave me alone..." He wept as he hung his head in his hands and cried. He wanted his friends. He wanted to feel the loving presence of Gosarik and the other Air Nomads. He just didn't want to be alone. As he cried, he suddenly heard a sound from behind him. It sounded like a low chuckle. A chuckle he recognized. "I told you I would burn everything you loved, Avatar Zorok," The voice said causing him to rapidly turn in fear. His eyes widened as he saw standing before him, was The Winds of Death. He looked like their battle hadn't even happened. No markings, no burns on his clothes, and his cheek had healed with no scar. "No!" He whispered frightened. He didn't have the strength to fight back this time. If The Rogue decided to kill him, he was done for. "They all depended on you, Zorok. You failed them. You let them die," He said with his wicked smile as he slowly strode forward. "No, I... I didn't... I didn't mean to..." He said stuttering. He looked down again and started weeping when he saw the bodies of his friends lying dead all around him. "No!" He screamed as he looked from body to body. Gosarik and The Sages were lifeless and still. The Waterbenders were all blue and frozen, and Lana and Kas lay together with blood trialing out their mouths. "But you did. You failed Zorok. Now, wake up," The Rogue said devilishly. "What?" Zorok said confused as he looked up at The Rogue through his tears. " I said, WAKE UP!" He shouted in his face.
"I'm sorry!" Zorok yelled as he shot upright and directly into Lana's arms. He held her tightly and cried as hard as he ever had. "It's ok. You were dreaming," She whispered as she lightly stroked his long black hair. "Kas! Where-" He started to say but stopped as he felt her wrap herself around his waist and hug him. "She's right here. Everyone is safe," Lana whispered as he pulled away from her shoulder and looked at her. "In... In my dream... You... All of you..." He said still hyperventilating a bit. "It's ok. It was just a dream," She said comfortingly. Zorok sat back and rested his back and head against the wall. When he fully came to his senses, he noticed he was bandaged up in his midsection. He poked his ribs lightly and winced sharply as a jolt of pain ran down his rib cage. "Easy. You broke a few ribs and pulled the heck out of your muscles fighting him," She said as she and Kas lightly helped him to his feet. Zorok looked down at Kas and began tearing up again as the image of her dead body flashed across his memory. He hoped he'd never have to see it again. He painfully dropped to his knees and wrapped her in an enormously emotional hug. When he pulled back, she looked at him concerned. "Sorry I... In my dream..." He tried to say. He didn't want to worry or scare her, so he tried again. "I'm just glad you guys are ok," He eventually said as he hugged her again. She just shrugged and hugged him back. She loved him no matter what.
A few days later when Zoroks body was less sore, he, with the help of Lana and Kas, made his way to The Sages Chamber. As he sat before the Sages, he could feel the echos of the shift in The Temple's aura. "We have lost many of our brothers to the sickness spread by Lonzang," The Head Sage said somberly. All the Sages had a sadness about them, even Goarik. "I... I'm sorry..." Zorok said ashamed. "It's not your fault, Avatar Zorok. It's ours. Our unwillingness to address the situation allowed its roots to silently spread throughout this temple. If anything, we owe you a debt of gratitude," He said. Zorok was a bit confused at this. He felt awful for not stopping it sooner, yet they were thanking him. "For what, Elder?" He asked. "We could have lost so much more had you not ended it with your selfless sacrifice," He said bowing slightly along with the rest of the Sages. "I just didn't want any of you to pay for my destiny," Zorok said humbly. The Sages, along with Gosarik, all sat in a moment of silence while 2 of them lit incense to honor Master Jinsuea. Once they had, the talks turned to that more worldly matters.
"Your training is nearly complete, Avatar Zorok. You have proven yourself to be a capable Airbender," The Head Sage said. "I... I don't feel like one..." He replied defeated. "Elders, may I speak?" Gosarik asked. "Of course," The Elder said nodding. "Avatar Zorok, I have been there for every step of your training. I've watched you go from a novice to a beginner to a somewhat decent, but what I saw in that clearing, the level of mastery you showed," He said. "But, that was the other Avatars. I wasn't Airbending squat," He said trying to convince them. To his surprise, they just smiled at him. "That's not what I meant," He said still smiling. "You took control of The Avatar State. You forced yourself to the front and defeated him on your own terms. That, to me, shows your mastery of not only of Airbending but of The Avatar State itself. I... I do not think there is much more you can learn from this place," He said regretfully in the last few words. "But, I still have so many more questions about Airbending," He said defiantly. "Avatar Zorok, the journey of The Avatar is not just the mastery of the elements but of the spiritual nature of bending itself," The Head Sage said. "While your form is still in need of work and you lack the knowledge of the advanced technique, I must agree with Master Gosarik," He said humbly.
Zorok was stunned. He knew how to Airbend sure, but he wouldn't call himself a master by any means. "Elder, I have to protest," He said. "Fear not, Avatar Zorok. You have a bit left to learn from our teachings, but your spiritual journey has been completed here. We will finish your training and then, you will be ready," He said proudly. Zorok nodded at him then looked at Gosarik. "Before I leave this temple, I'm gonna kick your butt at Air-Ball," He said playfully. Gosarik raised an eyebrow and smirked. "If that's the case, you'll be on this mountain forever," He said with a chuckle. The rest of The Sages chuckled along with Zorok as well. "Well, I believe it is time for lunch. We'll end on a humorous note," He said as he rose. The rest of the Sages, along with Zorok and Gosarik, all rose in unison and bowed to one another respectfully.
Zorok limped out of The Chambers on a crutch while Gosarik slowly walked beside him. They were headed to the dining hall. "You really think I'm ready?" He asked as he limped along. "I do. Kiza says he saw the willpower in your eyes. He believes it too," He replied. "I just... I don't know," He said slightly defeated. "Is something wrong? You've been acting a bit different since the battle," Gosarik asked a little concerned. "Yeah, it's just... It's just something The Avatars told me last time I went to the spirit world," He said. "Well, what did they say?" He asked now growing more curious. "They uh, they told me that I have to let my friends go, at least, for this next leg of the journey," He said a little sad. "So, that's why you're so hesitant to leave," He said starting to get it. "No, I... I mean, yes but..." Zorok said now stuttering a bit. "Look, I get it. It's not an easy thing to leave the people you love," Gosarik said kindly. "What does it mean that I had an easier time leaving my parents than I am Kas and Lana?" He asked feeling like an ass. "Well, it's a different kind of love," He replied to Zoroks' surprise. "You love your parents but you always knew you'd leave one day, right?" He asked as the two stood outside the hall. "Yeah?" Zorok replied a little confused. "Well, you probably never expected to leave Lana, did you?" He asked. "No, I... I guess I didn't," He replied. "And Kas, well, you didn't see her coming, did you?" He asked now smiling a bit at him. Zorok opened the door a bit and saw Kas and Lana happily eating and communicating back and forth joyously. "I get it but I don't know how to let them go," He said as he closed the door. "You've still got some time. You've gotta heal up and finish your training with me before anyone goes anywhere," He said comfortingly. "Yeah, That's true. By the way, thanks for sending word to The Earth King and The King of Omashu. You might have saved our families' lives," He said as he extended his hand. "I know how important family is, my friend," He said as the two shook hands. "Now, Let's eat. I'm starving," Zorok said as he fast limped into the hall. Gosarik sighed and chuckled at his uncouth friend, then followed him in wordlessly.
Day by day, the sun shined a little bit longer. The bitter bite of the wind lessened. Winter was coming to an end. On the considerably nice day of the year, Zorok found himself yet again at the Air-Ball court locked in a seemingly neverending battle with his friend and Master. Zorok's Airbending had vastly improved since The Battle of The Air Temple but he was still no match for Gosarik in terms of sheer skill, though the gap was closing fast. Their last game had ended with Zorok only losing by 3 points. Gosarik was so very proud to see Zoroks progress come so far since the days when he couldn't even move the air, let alone beat him at an Airbending game. The two had fought this game to a stalemate. They were tied at 20 points apiece and the next goal, no matter who scored it, would be the final one. Zorok started by air spinning the ball high into the air and hitting it ever so slightly on the side putting a wicked curve on it as it sailed through the posts towards Gosarik. He felt the current of air as it came toward him and sent the ball around his post and ricocheted it back towards Zorok. As it approached, he waited until the last possible second and shot the ball back up before sending it back down the court in a rapid erratic pattern. Gosarik was having trouble predicting the trajectory of the ball. It was moving in a pattern he'd never felt before. He nearly missed it as it rounded his post but saved it at the last second and sent it back towards Zorok. Zorok now saw his opportunity. He'd figured out Gosariks' strategy and it would be his undoing.
Their game had caught the attention of many Nomads. The crowd grew larger as the game went on until finally, all but The Sages were watching this battle of giants. No one had ever seen Gosarik break a sweat at Air-Ball, but now not only was he sweating, but he was on the defensive. The crowd watched with bated breath as Zorok not only sent the ball down the court through the posts but sent a giant gust of wind through them as well. The whole crowd watched as Gosarik attempted to defend his side of the court but he miscalculated, allowing the ball to sail past his ear and scoring Zorok the final point. "Game, Set, Match," Zorok said with a smile. Gosarik, rather than be upset, was beaming with pride in his student. The crowd erupted in cheers as the two stepped down from their respective posts and embraced one another as equals. "Well, that's it. The Master has finally been dethroned," He said with a smile. "Oh, come on Gosi, you're still the Master," Zorok replied as they shook hands. "Maybe, but I've met my equal," He said as they began walking back, followed by the crowd of Nomads.
As the crowd made its way to The Temple, Lana and Kas waited by The Dining Hall to greet the two competitors. "Do you think he'll win this time?" Kas stomped. "Maybe. Gosi isn't exactly the type to go down without a fight," Lana replied. A few seconds later, the two saw the crowd walking towards them with Gosarik and Zorok in the lead. "Hey, how'd it go?" Lana asked as they approached. "We have a new Champion," Gosarik said humbly as he smiled and raised Zorok's hand triumphantly. "You won?" Lana asked happily as she hugged Zorok. "Not by much, but yes," He said beaming a bit. "Zorok," Gosarik said proudly as he turned to his friend and smiled proudly at him. Zorok turned to him, knowing what was likely coming next. "It is my honor, not only as your mentor but as your friend to declare you for the first time, as an Airbending Master," He said bowing lightly to him. The rest of The Temple bowed as well while he, Lana, and Kas stood proud together. They had come so far in the year they spent at The Northern Air Temple. Lana was nearing mastery of Earthbending and Kas was not only growing as a bender but as a person as well. She was more sociable, happier, and more outgoing than the scared little girl Zorok found at the base of the mountain. They had grown together. "The Sages will want an official ceremony," Gosarik said as the crowd dispersed. "Is that necessary?" Zorok asked a bit reluctant. "It's tradition," Gosarik said with a shrug. "Well, if it's tradition," Zorok said happily. The Group spent the rest of the day together in The Meditation Fields swimming in the spring and engaging in a 3-on-1 wrestling match against Lolla. They hadn't had such a fun day in a long time. All the turmoil during the winter months with The Rogues had robbed them of any sense of peace of mind but now, with the winter ending, they had the advantage of the land in any further attempt by them. They could breathe easy knowing they were free to just have fun for a little bit, something they had taken for granted not long ago.
"Zorok, I... We... need to talk to you," Lana said as the 3 sat relaxing in their hut. "What's wrong?" Zorok said concerned. "Nothing's wrong, it's just..." She said struggling to finish. "Lana, you know you can tell me anything," He said to comfort her. She sighed deeply and looked him in the eyes. "After the ceremony... Kas and I, we... We're leaving The Temple..." She said. "What do you mean? Where are you going?" He asked confused. "We're going to Omashu," She said lowering her head a bit. "Look, I'm sorry. You know that I love you but Eatherbenders have no place at The North Pole. The only earth to bend is hundreds of feet beneath ice and snow and besides that, Kas needs proper training. It's not fair to ask her to wait another year or more before she can learn with a real Master and-" She said before she was cut off by a long and passionate kiss from Zorok. "I understand. You both have your paths to walk and I have faith that those paths will wind their way back to me one day," He said reassuringly. "You... You're not upset?" Kas Earthbent into the wall in front of him. "No, of course not," He said as he tussled her hair a bit. "Lana's right. It's not fair to ask you to come with me when you have your training to do. After all, I'll need an Earthbending teacher once I'm done with water," He said winking at Kas. She blushed a bit and hugged him tightly. "It's just for a year or two. When you're done at The North Pole, come to Omashu and we'll be waiting," Lana said hugging him as well. "Don't worry, I will," He said hugging them both. He loved Lana more than anything. He'd known he'd be the one to marry her since he was 12 years old, and Kas, well, he never saw himself as simply her friend or even her brother. Whether he liked it or not, he was for all intents and purposes, her father. He and Lana had been the ones to help her, and keep her safe, happy, and healthy this last year. They didn't ask for this, but rather, accepted it with gusto. They both knew that when it was all said and done, they would be a family.
Winter had finally come to an end and with it, came the end of Zoroks' training. He had mastered Airbending in 9 months. A much quicker time than he had expected. He felt the air, he moved the air, he was the air. As he demonstrated his full Airbending capabilities to not on Gosarik, but The Sages and the rest of The Temple as well, he left them stunned. His form had been perfected and his rapid instinctual movements rivaled even the late Master Jenseua. They had unanimously voted him the title of Master of Airbending and a permanent spot on The Northern Airbending Counsel as an official Sage. The younger nomads looked at him in awe but also in reverence. To them, he was a living God. Lana and Kas watched his final demonstration proudly. Lana had watched Zorok grow from a scared child to a timid meek teenager and now, standing before her was a strong confident man. A man who willingly gave himself to what he feared most just to save the lives of those he loved. A man who despite being terrified of what he might do, took control of an ultimate cosmic power none of them could even begin to comprehend, and stopped it before he went too far. Kas saw a man she willingly trusted for no other reason than he looked kind. She had seen the power of the lay beneath his calm exterior but she wasn't afraid. He was the only person she had strained her broken damaged voice box to make any sound towards. He had heard her real voice, as broken as it may have been, and didn't judge her. Rather, it calmed him somehow and stopped him before he did something he couldn't control. She knew that leaving would be hard, but also that she would see him again, and the next time she did, she would be a Master as well.
"So, when are you guys taking off?" Zorok asked with a smile as they sat in the clearing. "Well, we assumed you'd want a ride to the North Pole so we'll take Lolla there. From there, we'll head South to Omashu. It shouldn't be a very long trip," Lana said as she laid in his arms against a tree overlooking Kas as she swam with Lolla in the spring. "Do your parents know you're coming?" He asked. "Not as far as I know. It should be quite a surprise," She responded. Zorok thought back to the last time he saw her parents. It was the day they both graduated from basic training. They were so proud of her, just his own parents were proud of him. He never really knew what they thought of him, but he knew they were very close to Lana. Once her father was promoted to Ambassador of The Earth Kingdom, they had to move to Omashu for his career. Lana had been strong publicly but in private, with him, she was distraught. He knew seeing them again would make her happy. He smiled at the thought of them meeting Kas for the first time as well. They would probably think she was her daughter at first, a thought that nearly made him chuckle, but he also knew how kind and caring people they truly were, and they would love Kas as he and Lana did. "Zorok?" Lana said, snapping Zorok out of his daydreaming and internal laughter. "Huh?" He asked looking down. "I said, do you want us to go by Ba Sing Se and check on your parents?" She asked. "Oh, sorry, I was in my head. Yeah, that would probably be a good idea. If nothing else, you can tell them about my progress," He said laying his head back down against the tree. "You mean how you took control of The Avatar state, beat the most dangerous criminal in the world, and saved The Northen Air temple in one night?" She asked with a smile. Zorok opened one eye and smiled at her. "I mean, if you just want to tell them the boring stuff," He said. Lana playfully hit him and lay back down on his chest. "Smart aleck," She said with a playful smile.
The two were nearly asleep when they were awoken by the rhythmic stomps of Kas and Lolla running towards them. When Zorok opened his eyes, he was being stared at by Lolla's giant saucer eyes nearly an inch from his face. "Oh, hey there," He said a bit concerned. Before he could react, she extended her long tongue and lifted him off his feet with her lick. As he stood there dripping in slobber, Kas and Lana began laughing at him. "Thank you, Lolla. I needed a bath anyway," he said as he shook his hands dry. "Actually, you might want to take two. I could smell you from the spring," Kas stomped playfully as she smiled a bit. "Oh haha. A lot of talk coming from someone whose feet are a different shade than the rest of her body," He said smiling as he ruffled her hair. "Hey, don't be talking smack on dirt. There is nothing wrong with a healthy coat of dirt on an Earthbender," Lana said making Kas smile again.
Zorok stripped down to his undergarments and bathed in the spring. He figured it would be the last time, so he made sure to make a memory of how cool and clean the flowing around his body. It felt so pure like it had no troubles in the world. He admired the way the spring washed away the debris and always kept itself moving, no matter what tried to stop it. Water was a force of nature, and he knew that in order to save the world, he would have to be one as well. He laid floating on his back in the spring at peace. It was the most peaceful he'd felt since the day before his 19th birthday. Before he accepted his destiny. Life seemed so much easier back then. Guard duty seemed like a cakewalk compared to the last 9 months of his life, to say the least. "What I wouldn't give for just one last day of simplicity and mediocrity," He thought to himself as he floated around aimlessly. It was funny when he thought about it. Back when he was a nobody in the army, nothing seemed more dreadful and torturous than his uneventful and repetitive life. He wanted more, but he never wanted all this, but he knew that time was long gone. The rest of his life would be an endless struggle to keep the balance and there was no guarantee he would succeed. None of that bothered him though. Even if his every waking hour is a none stop struggle, he knew that was the duty of The Avatar, and that he would always have his friends.
The three spent a day or so packing up their belongings. They didn't have much, but what they did have they packed and set on top of Lollas saddle. The Sages were kind enough to supply them with enough food for a week, along with some mementos from their time at The Northern Air Temple. "Well Gosi, it's been quite a winter," Zorok said as Lana and Kas began boarding Lolla's back. "Yes, it has. It was an honor to train you Zorok," He said as he extended his hand. Zorok laughed a bit and rather than shake his hand, he embraced Gosarik in a hug. He was taken a little off guard by it, but he hugged him back nonetheless. "Don't act like this at the end. Once I'm through training, I'll be popping back in from time to time," He said reassuringly. "Oh, I know. You're a member of The Counsel after all," He responded as he reached into his robes. "By the way, I have something here for the three of you," He said as he handed Zorok a package wrapped in brown paper and tied in twine. Zorok opened it and saw it was 3 sets of Water Tribe parkas, pants, gloves, and shoes all made from Penguin-Seal skin. "Where did these come from?" He asked as he passed the package up to Lana. "Kiza gave them to me to hold for you before they left. He said he'd be waiting for you at The North Pole," He said with a smug smile. "Wait, why would he be waiting for me?" Zorok asked confused. Gosarik didn't respond. He simply gave Zorok a look, a look he knew to mean "You know why" when it finally hit him. "No, no way," He said amazed. "Amazing where we meet our teachers in life, isn't it?" He said with a smug and happy smile. "Yeah, you can say that again," Zorok said shaking his head in disbelief. "Take care of yourself, Zorok. You've got one heck of a journey ahead of you," Gosarik said hugging Zorok one last time. "You too. You're one heck of a teacher Gosi. This Temple is lucky to have you in its midst," Zorok said hugging him back. He then boarded Lolla and she kicked off the ground into the sky. Zorok looked back with a tear in his eye as Gosarik stood waving goodbye. He knew they would see each other again one day, but he would still miss his friend. Gosarik was a one-of-a-kind person too good-natured and kind-hearted for there to be many more people like him. He refused to give up on him even when he gave up on himself. Without him, Zorok knew he would have never stood a chance against The Winds of Death. He owed him his life and he hoped one day, he would be able to repay him.
As the three flew on Lolla through The Earth Kingdom Mountain Range, the sun slowly began to set. Zorok watched the light disappear and the darkness overtakes the land. He thought it fitting for their departure in a way. The darkness would always be there, but if you were patient enough and never gave up hope, the light would eventually come. The thought of this made him smile as he lay his head against the rim of the saddle and slowly drifted off to sleep as the sun set behind them.