Kishi: Now, I know all of you out there are thinking 'OMG! Not another non-bender!' Oh, but he is…
---
Kara-No
Chapter 7
Enlightenment
---
They'd flown from the Fire Nation fleet for the better part of a day. Flying and changing course at random will, avoiding Zhao's navy and the formidable reinforcements that had begun to arrive had taken all their concentration. Shin, without any real consent on the part of the group, had taken the role of support against the enemy. When they were high, he would destroy the stones with a fling of his fingers. When they flew low, his hands made cutting motions, slicing into the ship's hulls, slashing through command decks, cutting up men and material alike. Katara and Aang were hardly idle themselves, swirling clouds and sending the waves rushing over the decks.
Now here they were, the moonlight shining down. Appa flew without guide, south. The events of the past 24 hours had kept everyone driven only on the goal of escape, and only now were events catching up to them.
Yuki stared as hard as a full day without sleep would let her stare at the young man with silvery eyes. "You," she said, "have some explaining to do."
Shin inclined his head. "Why didn't you tell us you were a Bender?" asked Aang.
"Because I am a coward," he said.
"What have you got to be afraid of?" Sokka scoffed. "There's nothing that can touch you!"
"Nothing?" asked Shin. He smiled, a sad expression. "How very funny you should mention nothing…"
"Explain," said Katara.
Shin nodded. "Yes… I surmise you're all curious about my ability to destroy, aren't you?" The group simply looked at him expectantly.
"You are all aware of the history of this world," said Shin. "The Four Nations have always existed, each representing one of the four elements, and always in constant balance. And of course, the Avatar exists as the pivot for the balance, so to speak."
"Yeah, we all know that," said Sokka. "What does that have to do with you?"
"It's relevant because your history is wrong."
"What?"
"I speak the truth," said Shin. "Your history is almost accurate, but it's missing one piece - a nation known as the Sky Nation."
"Sky Nation?" asked Aang. "But we had one of those already. The Air Nomads traveled through the air, and we never found anyone else who could."
"Indeed," said Shin. "We aren't called the Sky Nation because of that, but because of our element. You all know the character for Sky also means Emptiness as well, right?" They all nodded. "Well, we are called the Sky Nation because we can bend the Void."
"But the Void isn't an element!" said Katara. "How can that possibly work?"
"Imagine, if you will," said Shin, "that everything around you is composed of tiny particles."
"Impossible," said Sokka. "Everything here is solid."
"There are more particles than you and I could possibly ever count. Benders are people who are capable of acting on the very particles themselves. Fire Benders and Air Benders take the particles of the air and either heat them or shift them. Earth and Water Benders can do the same things, provided that some amount of their element is present around them."
"I guess that makes sense," said Yuki. "Never seen a Water Bender able to make water… it's always present, even if they have to pull it from the clouds or the air or wherever."
"Exactly. Now, our element isn't really an element, per se. We simply tell these particles to disperse."
"Even Air?" asked Aang as his and Katara's eyes widened.
"Anything that has these particles can be destroyed."
"That's sick!" sputtered Sokka. "You guys could have taken over the world at any time with that sort of power!"
Shin smiled bitterly. "We aren't an ambitious lot, Sokka. We wanted to live in peace. In the beginning, we were able to. But the other Nations grew jealous of us. You see, because of our understanding of the world, we were able to create on an unparalleled level. We could literally remove bits and pieces of any impure thing and end up with only the purest metals, creating the strongest alloys. Imagine a sword so sharp it could cut through stone. Imagine armor as soft and light as silk - and harder than steel. Can you?"
They were all silent for a few minutes as they took it in. "Any nation that could do that," said Yuki, "could take over the world. Why didn't you?"
"We had no interest in that sort of thing," said Shin. "Why should we harm anyone? We knew what our powers were. But it became clear that our existence would only lead to war, because we were feared. So we took all our weapons, all our artifacts - and left. Our cities are in ruins, our people scattered to the winds. The only proof of who we are is our eyes - all of us have silver eyes."
"So there are still people like you out there?" asked Aang.
"Yes… but…" he sighed, looking out into the night sky. "It's been a long time."
---
"So let me make sure that I've got this straight," said Zuko. "You're part of a long-lost civilization that was wiped from our history to protect us. You possess the power to destroy pretty much anything that anyone can throw against you."
"Put succinctly, yes," said Reiko. They sat across from one another on the floor of Reiko's cell. The cold metal wasn't the most comfortable of surfaces for holding conversation, but Zuko had had her imprisoned as soon as he'd gotten back aboard. She'd gone quietly, and after the chaos of escaping from Zhao he'd come to see her straightaway.
"So where was this nation, anyway?" he asked.
"We once controlled much of the Eastern Earth Kingdom."
"There were that many of you? But how could you disappear that easily?"
"Because there were never very many of us to begin with. Our policy was generally to leave people to their own devices - simply overthrow whatever warlord lived in a place and show people our way. If they didn't like it, they were free to leave. Most chose us as their leaders of their own free will, and we only showed them those innovations that had nothing to do with war."
"Then you didn't recruit them into your armies?"
"Correct."
"But how could you maintain such a powerful force as you speak of?"
"Because anyone born of the Sky Nation is a Void Bender, we have always had the ability to destroy anything in our path. You saw what just one of us was able to do to all those troops out there in the Water city."
Zuko grunted an affirmative. "So you held them through fear?"
"Only to a certain point," said Reiko. "Eventually, they welcomed us and the irrigation systems, the paved roads, the strong walls…"
"But it's not that way anymore," said Zuko thoughtfully. "So what happened to your people?"
"We spread throughout the world. As I said, there aren't very many of us in the world, ever. It's all part of the balance. You people count in millions, we count in thousands. It was very easy for us to disappear."
"So why are you here, then?"
"Because of Sozen's Crusade."
Zuko blinked. He'd never heard anyone of another nation refer to the war by its original name. "What does the beginning of the war have to do with you?"
"When the war began, the last heads of the Sky People gathered to decide whether we should stand with you or against you. But there was a… difference of opinion. Some thought we should stand against you, to stop the war."
"And the others?" Zuko pressed.
"The others decided to help you. That's why I'm here."
Too good to be true. "What's the catch?"
"Simply put, we want to go home," said Reiko. "We want the same thing you do - an end to the unjust exile imposed upon us at the beginning. With the world under your control, we know we'll never have to fear the jealousy of other peoples."
"How do you know we can be trusted?"
"The Fire Nation has always been honorable towards those peoples and entities which aid them. We trust you."
Zuko stood. "Regardless, I hope your people will forgive me for not trusting you yet. You still lied to me, regardless of whether or not you had noble intent. You can just cool your heels here for a while."
He turned and walked through the cell door, slamming it shut. What he didn't expect was that the empty clang as the door bounced off its frame and swung back outward.
Reiko peered at him with a look of distinct amusement. "My Prince, I thought I'd made it clear to you - you will never hold me here, or anywhere on this ship." The Prince's left eye began to twitch dangerously. "Please, my Lord," she said seriously, "I have only ever served you. I swore my loyalty to you. Others wish to as well. You will not regret our service." She knelt down on the ground in front of him, and bowed.
---
Days passed as the gang fled south. They would stop for camp at whatever small spit of land that they could find in the vast blue. Shin, however, had ended up being relegated to the role of outcast. He would often find himself out alone, fishing along the coastline and bringing in his catch the next morning.
He didn't blame them; he knew it was what he deserved. After all, he'd lied about his past, lied about who he was, everything. They had no reason to trust him. Besides, he thought, he'd been alone for a long time. He didn't need people.
Still, he thought, lying on the beach one night, I wasn't lying to them when I told them I wanted to make a difference. I do. If the Fire Nation wins… He sighed in thought. I hate to admit it, but if it comes right down to it, I may have to figure out how to fight without them.
-
Yuki stared into the flames burning in front of her. There were few trees on this island, and many of them were green to boot. Still, somehow, Sokka had managed to find enough wood to make a cooking blaze. All in all, being in constant flight from the Fire Nation, maybe that was for the best.
There was a pop and the blaze flared just a little. Yuki couldn't help an involuntary flinch. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Katara looking at her. I bet she feels real good, she thought, knowing the invincible harlot isn't all that invincible. She was quite aware of Katara's contempt for her, had felt impotent rage burning at her almost from the moment they'd met. She didn't care in the slightest - why should she? - but it was a blow to her pride to appear weak to anyone.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing," said Katara quietly. "Just thinking."
"Thinking?" Yuki's browed furled as she attempted to discern the thoughts, so to turn the conversation from the fire. "About Shin?" she ventured.
"Yeah. I just can't believe he had all that hidden away."
"You think you saw something?" asked Yuki. "You should try fighting back to back with him."
"I saw you two there."
"Yeah. Now that was unbelievable." Yuki let the sentence hang. She just wasn't sure how to convey it - the desperate slash of twin kukri cutting down spear hafts, opening veins, slicing throats… and the scent of blood as holes opened in men's chests where hearts used to be, the screams of horror as limbs separated from bodies, and glimpsing him in all that chaos with a look of quiet concentration. There was no fear on his face, no remorse as he fought with that exotic, fluid grace - only focus, an almost serene expression.
No way was she going to tell Katara that he'd frightened her more than the situation they were in.
"Sokka doesn't seem to be taking it too well," she said sympathetically.
Katara nodded sadly. "It's just been so long since he's had anyone near his own age to talk to. Aang's no replacement for that… he was hoping he and Shin could be friends."
"Wow. Sucks for him."
Katara had a look on her face as if she was going to retort in the sharper category. "Let me guess," said Yuki. "You're preparing some comment about how I've never been without friends because I'm a slut or something, right?"
"What? No, I--"
"Yeah you were. I can tell. Innocent little girl from the south, talking like she has the right to judge. Do you have any idea how many friends I've lost?"
"You've probably lost a lot," said Katara. "I just didn't like what you said about my brother."
"You don't like sympathy?"
"No, just…" she sighed and shook her head. "Nothing. Never mind."
Sokka tramped back into camp, scratched up and carrying a clutch of eggs. Aang flew in, his glider folding back into a staff a moment later.
"Well guys," said Sokka with a smug grin, "I managed to find us dinner. Let's go ahead and get these things cooked up and-"
"What about Shin? Maybe he's caught some fish," said Aang.
Sokka stiffened. "He can't have caught much. There aren't many fish moving about yet."
"Sokka, we're right on the verge of spring. This is when the fish really start to moving," said Katara.
Before Sokka could counter, Aang interjected: "I think we need to talk about this."
"What is there to talk about?" asked Sokka. "Shin lied to us about who he was. This man has the power to kill us all with a gesture, and there's nothing we can do about it! Do you want somebody like that along with us?"
"But when he revealed who he was, he was doing it to help us," said Yuki. "You and me specifically."
"And besides that," added Katara, "he never said anything one way or the other about where he was from. We all assumed."
"So?"
"So, we should be ashamed of ourselves for being so trusting," said Yuki. "Best not repeat that little mistake again."
As soon as she finished, Shin strode into the camp, poles across his back. Without a word, he deposited four sea-colored fish and an assortment of roots on a large leaf before turning to sit down next to Aang.
He looked over at Sokka and noticed the scratches he was covered in. He looked meaningfully at Aang and Katara and said, "There's a way to help him out with that, you know."
"What do you mean?" asked Aang.
"One of Water Bending's greatest strengths is the ability to heal."
"Using Water Bending to heal?" asked Katara, a note of incredulity in her voice. "I'm not sure I believe that…"
"Is it so impossible?" asked Shin. "Reach out with your senses. Can't you feel the water in him?"
Aang and Katara both looked at Sokka intently. He squirmed under their gaze.
"Yeah," said Katara. "It's there."
"Well, that water carries bits and pieces that he needs to heal. Just guide it--"
"No," scowled Sokka. He crossed his arms. "You can't trust this guy. He might be meaning to kill me with what he's telling you."
"Sokka, quit whining," said Yuki. "He's trying to help you. I thought you were a man, not a child."
Sokka growled and turned his head away.
"Just guide it to the cuts and bruises," said Shin. "It's almost like you're washing something clean."
Katara frowned, then brought her hands palms up, raising them up to the height of Sokka's head, then sweeping them back down along his body again. Sokka gasped and shivered, eyes widening as Katara continued. Finally, she stopped with a soft exhalation.
Sokka stared at his hands and arms, where the scratches had been - only to find they were mysteriously absent.
"See? That wasn't so bad," said Yuki in a teasing sort of voice.
"Oh yeah? Have 'em do it to you next time," he groused, shuddering.
Shin just nodded and stood. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go keep watch." He turned and walked away.
-
A few days later saw Sokka standing in the middle of a sandy expanse. He stared out to see, letting the sea breeze move through the tuft of hair on his head. He could feel stubble growing on head and chin alike and knew he should probably shave soon, but this task had just seemed to diminish in importance. He knew they should be moving on, but he was as anxious for rest as everyone else was.
He kept telling himself, Today's the day. Today's the day we're going to move on. But he'd wake up in the morning, get breakfast, and then set to finding food. The repetition of those familiar tasks seemed to soothe his mind as the memories of the battle kept filling his mind. He didn't want to admit it, but Shin's intervention had haunted him more than he thought. He'd been in several kill-or-be-killed situations before, so that wasn't what bothered him. But he'd never seen destruction like that - never seen things just disappear as if they never were.
It wasn't that he couldn't forgive Shin for something like that - it was just that the man scared him too much.
"You wanted to see me?"
He turned to see Yuki striding toward him, and he was reminded of why he'd asked to meet her here.
"Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about something…"
He paused, and Yuki gave him a questioning look. "Yes?"
"It's… those knives of yours…"
"My kukri?" She pulled one of the leaf-blades out.
"Yeah. I want to learn how to use them."
"You want to learn the use of one of these?"
He winced at the incredulous note in her voice. "I saw you using them in the battle. Those things do an incredible amount of damage… I want to learn."
"You're not getting me, Sokka," she said, her voice serious. "This isn't the sort of weapon you use just for fighting. Kukris are a tool before they're a weapon. In order to truly learn this thing, you'd have to take to using it for every little thing - chopping wood, cutting vegetables, cutting through undergrowth, everything. Even once you get those, you still haven't tapped the real killing power in these knives."
"I'm not sure I follow."
"Most knives let you slit a throat," said Yuki. "But this thing will take a head off. In one swipe, if you're good."
Sokka swallowed nervously. "Can you do that?" he asked quietly.
She gave a very feral smile. "What do you think?"
He blinked a few times, then straightened his shoulders. "I still want to learn."
"I'm not much of a teacher," she said. "You'd be better off with my brother, but he's gone."
"You could do just as well," he said.
"No I can't."
"Yeah you can. You said I have to learn it as a tool before I learn it as a weapon, right? So just let me borrow one of yours and we'll go from there."
Yuki gave him a scandalized look. "Are you crazy? I'm not giving you one of these."
"Then how am I supposed to learn?"
Yuki frowned at him, her expression pensive. "Are you really that desperate to learn this?" Sokka nodded firmly. "All right then," she sighed. "I'll lend you one and be there to supervise you as long as you're holding it. You will obey me in everything. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes ma'am."
-
Aside from the small stand of trees where they'd erected tents, the island was truly a lump of rock and sand. As she walked along, Katara had to admit it was bleak… but at the same time, restful. After that hectic day and night of flight, she'd felt as though she could hardly move. But the past few days here had allowed for a certain degree of contemplation.
She found herself thinking of Yuki, of the harsh words they'd exchanged. Katara felt a stirring of resentment in her chest, but after watching the girl performing her tasks and duties as a leader, Katara had to admit to being impressed. Yuki definitely knew what she was about, even with her… mannerisms.
Yet the girl also seemed prone to jumping the gun… which seemed, to Katara's mind, a very defensive thing to do. The girl was sensitive – more than that, she was conscious and aware of what people thought of her. And yet, Katara thought, she persists. Why?
As she walked through the sands, her thoughts turned to Shin. She didn't know why she hadn't sensed it previously but she saw it so clearly now, and she was sure Aang saw it too – the utter loneliness in him. Shin carried himself silently, had always done so, even before he'd revealed himself as a Void Bender. She'd always wondered why he seemed so withdrawn, but the answer almost seemed obvious. For all his confidence and for all his ability, he was almost as terrified of them as they were of him.
But what is it then? Why is he afraid of us? There was just no getting him.
She emerged from her thoughts just in time to notice Aang sitting on a rock. He was staring out to sea, and he had a sad, lost expression on his face.
"Hey, Aang!" said Katara, running up with a smile on her face.
"Oh. Hey, Katara," he said, looking over at her. The smile on his face looked forced.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Not with a tone like that, you're not. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah… well…" he turned his gaze back to the ocean. Katara climbed up and sat next to him.
"It was back at the battle in the city."
"Has Shin got you worried too?"
"Shin? No. I think he's good… but… me…"
"Aang, what happened?"
The young boy slumped, looking into the palms of his hands. "During the battle, Zuko found me, and we started fighting. I managed to do well against him, but during the fight, one of the walls collapsed. I looked out into the city and I saw the soldiers, saw all those dead…"
Katara's heart ached as she remembered that he really was just a boy. "It's not your fault, Aang," she started.
"No, it is! It is my fault, Katara!" he said and she could hear tears on his voice. "When I saw the soldiers, I… I lost control… and… and…" He started sobbing, dry gasping things, and his eyes shimmered with unshed emotion. "I… I bent Water… and I froze it… so many knives… and… and I…" He suddenly turned to her, tears running down his face. "I killed them, Katara! Every single one!"
Katara felt her own eyes prick as she watched the savior of the world sobbing brokenly into his hands. She reached out and wrapped her arms around him, and she felt him put a pair of trembling arms around her, crushing her to him. She held him there as he sobbed into her shoulder, as her own eyes shed in sympathy.
Gradually, he stilled, his breathing steadied, and he stayed there, exhausted in her arms.
She thought she heard him whisper something. "Aang?" she asked, her voice steady.
"I can't do it," he whispered. "I can't do it. I can't do it."
"Yes you can."
"I can't. I can't. I don't want to kill anyone ever. Those soldiers all had families, all had lives… I can't give that back to them…"
"Aang, listen," said Katara softly. "It's bad to kill. But if you don't fight, the Fire Nation's going to start the same thing again in another city. You saw what that weapon of theirs can do. Do you think people like Zhao are going to stop with just the Water Tribe?"
The young boy was silent. "The Avatar is supposed to preserve all life," he said, softly. "The bringer of peace and understanding. But if I can't hold to those ideals… am I really worthy of being the Avatar?"
"Yes, you are," said Katara. "Remember when I said I believed in you? I still do, Aang. I still do."
Aang just closed his eyes and held her even more tightly.
---
Kishi: Well, you guys probably want some explanation for this…
We've all seen all sorts of weird Bender types, from Soul to Shadow to Light to Nature. So why is mine any different?
It's rather simple, really.
The show's creators decided to base their elements on the classic elements of Buddhist thought - water, earth, fire, and wind. However, according to classic thought, there is a fifth element - Sky, or Void. After watching the show and catching the gist of all the elements that exist, I thought to myself - "Wouldn't it be interesting if a fifth element appeared that actually fit the canon the creators set up?"
Void Bending is the result. The movements are based on Xing Yi Quan, as is the fighting style. The weapons and armor Shin's mentioning come from applying very careful amounts of Void to the edge of a sword and to spider's silk (which happens to be stronger than steel).
Kishi: Oh! That's right, there's supposed to be an omake in here somewhere… uh…
Omake no Toki! Yonban! Sokka wa hontou no sekai ni…
(Time for Extras! Four: Sokka in the real world…)
(The scene opens up on the campus of Berkley University. SOKKA walks out of a classroom in a tweed suit. Students stream out after him; a glimpse of textbook reveals 'Introduction to Thermodynamics.')
SOKKA: Whew. Finally. I do I'll have a gander at the new Sudoku puzzle…
(Suddenly, a kid with tattoos dressed in baggy jeans and a loose orange shirt runs up).
SOKKA: AH! I mean, hi! Nice to see you, AANG!
AANG: Oh, man! Katara was right! You do wear a tweed suit!
(SOKKA fumes as AANG laughs).
SOKKA: It wasn't my idea, okay? They have this dress code thing here for teachers.
AANG: Man, sucks to be you! Anyway, studio called. They want us to do some more work on that 'Kara-no' project.
SOKKA: What? But… but Sudoku…
AANG: Later! Let's get a jump on this thing!
(SOKKA looks at AANG with a desperate gleam in his eye)
SOKKA: But AANG! Sudoku! Sudoku!
AANG: Oh, it'll be waiting for you when you get back. Now come on! I hear Yuki's gonna be there-
(SOKKA immediately takes off running for his car – a 2004 Ford Mustang.)
SOKKA: What're you waiting for! Come on!
--owari
Oh, and an explanation of terms:
Kukri - a big, knasty knife. That's really all there is for it. You have to look it up on Google to really get a sense for it.
Avatar: The Last Air Bender is copyrighted to people who aren't me. I don't know who they are, otherwise, I'd give 'em credit.
The only things I own in this story are those things that I perceive as being original, and thusly are mine. If you recognize something that you came up with first, all credit goes to you.
I have no clue where you can contact me. I think the address is in my profile…