Spirit Wind
Ezekiel stared down into the valley
Filled with dry bones baking in the sun
Remains that used to be a mighty army
To him, it looked like their fighting days were done
High in the mountains, a summery breeze waft throughout the majestic temple that sat upon its summit. The extraordinary temple remained animated and prospering, with adolescent boys' laughter and the chatter of winged lemurs. An irresistible fragrance of baked goods permeated the air.
In the courtyard, numerous juvenile fellows played a brand-new pastime that utilized a technique developed by a boy named Aang. He'd devised the airbending move declared the Air Scooter. It'd taken several weeks before his peers mastered it.
The sport was clearly flag tag on Air Scooters. One team would've red flags. The other team would've orange. The objective was to snatch the other team's flags before the other team got theirs. Whichever team got all the other team's flags first won. Aang held the position of the captain of the red team as he thought up the move. The other captain was the lad who conceived the sport. His name was Anil.
Anil himself was agile, intelligent, moreover a smooth-talker. He and Aang had been rivals since they could walk. Anil despised the fact Aang got his tattoos first. Anil knew he should've received them first, seeing how Aang's air scooter was lame.
His innovative technique had been the lotus cyclone. Understandably the female airbenders had praised it. However, the monks of the Southern Air Temple declared it lacked genuine innovation. It incensed the pompous pre-teen to no end. Yet, he ultimately received his tattoos. However, it was two months after Aang, which only intensified his contempt for the boy.
Aang himself had nothing against Anil. To him, their rivalry was one-sided. He bore no grievance toward Anil. Yet, he ended up one way or another being threatened or in some competition with the boy.
But driven by a calling on his life
He spoke God's words. The bones began to shake
He stared wide-eyed as the flesh began to form
And as he prophesied to the wind
The soldiers began to wake
"That was an excellent game! I assume you'd as much fun as I did!" Aang proclaimed jubilantly after the red team won. All the boys on both teams, except Anil, graciously consented.
"Its easy to win when you're a cheater!" he snarled at his rival. Everyone backed away as the air around the pre-teen started to get turbulent. Aang made the time-out signal. "Anil, calm down. No one cheated. We all played fairly. It doesn't matter who wins or loses. All that matters is having fun."
"I know you cheated, Aang! There something about you that gives you an unlawful advantage! I will discover it! Once I do, I'll make you pay for all the humiliation you've put us through!" he snarled.
Aang started to fear for his life the way Anil's airbending was getting gradually out of control. Then everything changed. Just as it looked like Anil use his airbending to attack Aang, out of nowhere, he drenched in both water and gooey cake filling. The air ceased being intimidating as Anil just stood there in shock. The other boys couldn't help but laugh until they had tears in their eyes. Aang used that distraction to leave the area and immediately head back to his bedroom.
Once he got back to his room, he slammed the door shut and locked it. Taking a few deep breaths, he calmed down. He then noticed an origami crane sitting on his bed. A cheerful grin crossed his face. He strolled over to his bed to admire the little gift. "Well, it looks like you're there for me again, my mysterious friend."
He then placed the crane on a shelf with several other origami creations. For the last two years, whenever Aang was in trouble or bullied by Anil, a mysterious spirit protected him. Then whoever they've left some origami animal behind to tell him it was them. Aang wishes he knew who was looking out for him. He did try to show his thanks.
Sometimes he nicked food from the pantry and left it in his room. By day's end, the food was gone with another origami animal there as thanks. The mystery literally drove the twelve-year-old around the bend. He didn't even bring this person up to his guardian Gyasto. For some reason, he felt they should remain anonymous. Yet, he longed to meet them in person one day.
And the Lord sent His wind into the valley
And breathed the breath of life into their souls
And raised them again a mighty army
For soon these arisen warriors will battle again
For they have been filled with the Spirit Wind
Whoa, whoa, whoa...
One week later, he and Gyasto were occupied playing their weekly Pai Sho game. He didn't see why Gyasto preferred the white lotus tile so much. Either way, Gyasto won their game nine times out of ten. "You know, Aang, playing Pai Sho, can be an invaluable teacher for life. If you genuinely understand the more profound meaning of the game." Gyasto stated as he claimed one of Aang's pieces.
His ward looked frustrated at his guardian's words. "I don't see how, unless you mean people are the pieces. Or how the how you play reflects life," he guessed, looking to see if he was correct.
The more experienced monk smiled at his pupil's clarity. "Congratulations, young one. You've starting to expand your mind! That's quite satisfying. You should seek knowledge in various questionable sources."
"Master Gyasto, mind if I trouble you with something?" he inquired hesitantly.
"I've sensed for a while something has been troubling your mind. Therefore please enlighten me."
Taking a deep breath, the young Airbender disclosed what been bothering him for years. "Well, you are aware of Anil seems to have a grudge against me," he started when Gyasto held up his hand.
"I'm conscious that Master Tashi's protegé isn't the most respectable young man. He's learned that from his guardian, I'm afraid. You two seem to have inherited our rivalry from our boyhood."
"Is that one of the reasons he doesn't like me?" Aang blinked his gray eyes in confusion. His teacher let out a deep sigh before nodding. "Unfortunately, yes. Though we Air Nomads seek enlightenment, we aren't thoroughly detached from the human heart's normal emotions. I'm sorry you've to deal with a feud from my youth."
"Did you ever have anyone to help you out? You know someone to protect you if things got out of hand?"
"Yes, Master Pasang. He acted as my guardian when Tashi got too out of hand. I believe that's why Tashi still feels resentment even though we all suffer on the council of elders."
"That's funny. I've never seen Pasang with his own ward. Doesn't every senior monk have an individual protégé they look after?"
"That I'm afraid is Pasang's secret. I'm not one to reveal other's secrets. Don't be too troubled by Master Pasang's apparent lack of a pupil. Now let's finish our game, shall we?"
A pastor stands before his congregation.
Once a mighty army for the Lord
But now he stares into the lifeless eyes
Believers leading carnal lives
He wonders what they're fighting for
But driven by a calling on his life
He spoke God's word like he'd done a hundred times before
But this time, he comes broken and weeping
With tears of a broken heart
And he cries out to the Lord
Throughout the next week, Aang did his best to avoid Anil. Yet, it seemed the bully went out of his way to find ways to corner him. Aang worried that Anil would one day actually get physical with him even though they're supposed to be pacifists.
Finally, on Friday, Aang found himself fleeing for his life. Anil had challenged him to combat, which again was against their culture, yet he was determined to put his rival in his place. Aang, on the other hand? He wanted to avoid this at all costs. He tore through the temple, trying to find a place to hide to avoid the fight, though he'd likely not succeed.
Everyone knew all the hiding places in the temple. Yet still, he looked around for one. He eventually ended up at the forbidden tower. No one knew why it was forbidden. They only knew the entrance was perpetually locked.
Aang back up next to the entrance, hearing his tormentor coming closer to him. Abruptly the doorway behind him opened, and someone grabbed him before locking the door again. The person clamped Aang's mouth shut to keep him from alerting the bully to their location. After the footsteps faded away, the person removed his hand from Aang's mouth.
Oh Lord, send Your wind into this valley
And breathe the breath of life into their souls
And raise them again a mighty army
For soon these arisen warriors will battle again
For they have been filled with the Spirit Wind
Whoa, whoa, whoa...
Holy Spirit, breathe on me
Breathe Your life in me
[x4]
Aang took a few steps back to survey the chamber. It looked like a bedroom, yet different then his. The walls of the circle room had magnificent murals painted on them. Hanging from the ceiling were a mix of wind chimes made from stained glass and bells. Also suspended were millions of origami creations.
He observed the colors pink and green dominated the bedroom. Then he turned to the inhabitant of the room. A boy his age stood in front of him. Though he was the oddest looking boy, Aang had ever seen.
The boy had a petite build with an angular face, like a diamond you couldn't cut. His left eye was gold, and the right one amber. His head's left side was shaved, though he sported a giant gold earring in that ear. On his right side, he'd chin-length greenish-black hair. His outfit was typical of an airbending trainee. It was pink and green, unlike the traditional orange and yellow.
However, what caught Aang's attention wasn't this boy's unconventional appearance. It was the fact the boy had master tattoos as well. That unquestionably revealed this odd boy was a master Airbender. Aang gave the boy an encouraging smile. "Hi, I'm Aang. Thanks for saving me. What's your name?" the boy gave him a bewildered look. Suddenly he started to make unfamiliar hand gestures.
At first, Aang didn't understand what he was doing. Suddenly he realized that the boy was employing sign language. The world was full of people with disabilities. Consequently, for deaf people, the four-nation had a universal sign language.
Unfortunately, Aang had never bothered to learn it. Seeing how he'd never encountered a need for it before. The boy seemed to realize he didn't speak his language immediately. He pointed to a slate nearby, and Aang instantly wrote down his question. Aang couldn't help but feel he was inconsiderate to the boy. Making him feel like a freak.
For now, the boy appeared okay with it. He wrote something down on the slate then spelled out his name with Aang looking at the board. The boy spelled out the name Zephyr. Next, he pointed to Aang and spelled out his name. Aang immediately got it. They're introducing themselves to each other. Aang wrote down on the slate, saying, "Teach me?" Zephyr nodded, and they spent the afternoon laboring to teach Aang some basics in sign language.
Finally, Zephyr pointed to the sundial indicated Aang should leave. He then showed him a concealed way out. Aang managed to sign he'd be back. Aang did request Gyasto to teach him about sign language. Under the excuse, he'd encounter someone who was deaf when traveling to meet his friends. With Gyasto's help, Aang picked up sign language much more quickly.
In two months, Aang had mastered sign language. He savored spending time with Zephyr. Zephyr revealed why he was in the tower. His master Pasang knew how most people treated others with disabilities. Plus, how some people viewed those who belong to the LGBT community. He felt he was protecting Zephyr by keeping him away from others. However, Zephyr desired to see the world. Therefore he'd snuck out through the secret passage.
Zephyr didn't like how Aang was being bullied. Consequently, he'd done his most desirable to protect him. Aang was grateful for Zephyr looking after him. Yet, he asked him if he desired to leave the tower entirely.
Oh Lord, send Your wind into this valley
And breathe the breath of life into our souls
And raise us again a mighty army
For soon these arisen warriors will battle again
For we have been filled with the Spirit Wind
Whoa, whoa, whoa...
"I'd love to leave forever. See the world. Meet new friends. Yet, what would my guardian think? We are the wind, so we must be free. Yet what if he's right? That I'll be bullied and attack for being myself? I don't know if I should risk it."
"I'll protect you as you've done for me. You're right. We are the wind. We need to be free. Don't worry. One way or another, we shall see the world together."
Zephyr pondered this, then signed, "If you can free me, I'll be forever grateful. I value our friendship more then you know. Help me see a whole new world."
"Deal, don't worry by the autumn equinox. You'll be free. Trust me."
"I do, Aang. I do." With that, the boys began to hatch a plan to free Zephyr and see the world together. Having tons of adventures and making countless new friends.
Oh Lord, we need You now.
Breathe Your life into us
Lord, we need You now
Our churches and our families
Oh Lord, we need You now
Breathe life into this dry and weary land
Raise us again
You teach others how to treat you.
If you treat yourself with compassion and love, so too will others treat you. If you treat yourself with contempt and unkindness, you permit others to do the same.
Define boundaries around your truth. Be willing to say no. Trust your intuition to guide your choices.
Believe, without questions, that you are deserving of respect and generosity. In so doing, you teach yourself and others to treat you with the love, kindness, and compassion you are worthy of.
Zephyr is actually genderfluid, but since Aang's just learning sign language at this point, Zephyr can't explain it to him. Zephyr will explain it later to him.