Chapter 1: Lost
I had gotten lost today, in every sense of the word. Playing the piano was my little escape, tune after tune they hummed throughout my fingers. My hands echoing a movement that has long been muscle memory. For some these days there we few escapes, our world decaying becoming lost to the ocean as global warming had a massive flood of refugees in the pacific. Coasts were decimated and governments were scrambling to fix their situations, but alas resources were scarce, economies suffered. The television had become so toxic, these days I became more attached to my phone, messaging those that always bought me a step back to earth. Overthinking and mood swings were sometimes a good indicator that my day was just rotten, but surprisingly it was always a bit better with the music.
I recently took up swimming enjoying the calm and clearing sound of just my body struggling through the pool. It was starting to feel that everything was becoming better on the inside, but the world out there was just getting worse. My thoughts drifted as I lay down resting examining my surroundings. Everyone usually called me crazy for swimming in this cold, but it was refreshing, gave me a sense of purpose. Changing into my warmer full snow peak attire as I was usually cold after a long swim. The smell of chlorine lingered among my towel and clothes, a careful reminder of a hot shower awaiting me at home. As I stepped out and opened the glass door a blinding light appeared in the distance and I immediately covered my eyes before I was engulfed by what seemed to be emptiness. Reopening them bought me to what seemed to be a cave with a blinding and raging blizzard on the outskirts. I had become besides myself thinking I must be dreaming because this does not happen. I laughed manically at first and attempted to wake myself with punching or pinching, but that just seemed to confirm my reality more. Huddled into the corner I hugged my knees and tried to keep warm.
I jerked awake as I suddenly realized my hands felt numb, I had fallen asleep and there was little light the howling winds had calmed but it was almost pitch black. A small piece of the moon had been the only source of illumination. My clothes were not equipped to handle the wind not the extreme temperature. It was a lot warmer in the cave and I had no idea of the current surrounding, my only option was to stay and hide so to speak, basically a repeat of my flight or fight. I just referred to it as my flight never seeking confrontation, never seeking to fight rather looking for a resolution. My inner thoughts always consumed these moments thinking what could happen next. I cannot see well, there is no fire to help me keep warm nor is there any firewood. I also lacked the means to start a fire. Resting against the cave edges I started to silently hum the tunes I knew, focusing on the way they were played trying to relax. Eventually after what like a light year I had calmed down and there was light present, a sunrise breached an opening into the small flicker of the cave and became grey, not the yellow that I was accustomed to. It seemed that many the clouds not dissipated yet but only grew lighter. A huge feeling of relief washed over me as now I could explore my surroundings and attempt a lay of the land, as I stepped out of the cave however a lot of my anxiety flushed right back in there was nothing but a white sea, no trees, no hills only this lonely underground cave. Deciding upon a course of action was useless now as the only course had been decided, death. No quick one, but the long arduous and painful one. At least I could attempt to make it comfortable. Hunger though was not a comfortable feeling, but I could last a while. Water however was a problem on its own, there was plenty of snow but with no heat source and no way to store it eating it was the only option.
For the remainder of the day, scouring the cave where was light for the smoothest rocks was the best to do. An attempt at a shelter within the cave to keep even warmer or just to make a bed. My hands had searched and finally found other than rock, mineral. Its rough texture was completely different than any other and when I bought it to the last bit of sunlight it looked like snow, were it not for some strange black patches. Finding another took a while as the sun had set and there was only moonlight outside. Inside however was pitch black. The cave seems to go on for a while but going to far would be suicide as I would get lost. 'Why would I worry about that?'. My thinking was that death would consume me either way, but a small lingering emotion still resided. Hope.
After finding another mineral but unclear what it was, I struck them in together for that last flicker and found they produced a familiar sound, flint stone. Happiness seemed to crash into my brain as I let out a victory laugh and spoke. "Every little piece counts." My victory echoed as I fell to the silence and slept.
'If you want to take me on as a man then do so, don't use words you coward.' Blow by blow landed on my head as I yelled profanities. 'He cannot be reasoned with; he is exactly like my grandfather.' I jerked awake and found tears flowing from my face. That horrible dream again, it gnawed at my subconscious, ever since it happened. The most ridiculous shit always started the fights, but they never got physical. Empty threats amounted to nothing but being beaten into a concussion never worked properly on the brain. A way of thinking and a way of speech changes. Those sentences would echo throughout the day as I found no use for the rock I searched and found. There was no fauna, no animal life, just the wasteland of white. Hunger had started to reach into my thoughts with echoes of needs. Yet I only had snow to consume, it would have to suffice.
It had now become the third day and there was a substantial amount of snowfall I had tried to preserve what little energy I had but I kept the entrance clear so as to have a hope that someone might find my body. I had become extremely tired and wanted to attempt no task. Just a wait at the inevitable. The sun had set, and I had become completely exhausted, slipping in and out of consciousness was a new norm for me. Hallucinations occupied where I thought was food was rocks and what I thought were people were stalagmites. I closed my eyes for what felt like a second and the dreams then returned.
"Over there, move to the cave we have to see if any of them reached that point." He had a resounding voice one that showed command and superiority, yet there was a clear show of vulnerability. They had found so many bodies with strange clothes some were even naked, while others were half naked. This was a strange sight in the north pole. Some had serious wounds while others were just found naked with clothing scattered about. Coming upon the cave they were startled to find snow moved aside. Life and recent by the looks of it. They did not want to return empty handed and humiliated for returning no meat from this hunt. They became upon the body and was devastated with its eyes closed.
A fulfilled sensation surrounded my body, small signs of energy seem to spring my mind to life. Thought after thought felt ecstatic, a relief. Had I finally died?
"This is all I can do for him, Yagoda will be able to do so much more!" She was pleading with him with a soothing voice. Keeping someone alive like this was a chore. He was breathing but she did not know advanced healing techniques to mend major illness or wounds. They were already carrying bodies to have them buried and they could only take one more. He felt isolated, they had been out hunting for three days and found no sign of any tiger seals but only bodies. "Damnit". A small whisper escaped. He was infuriated at this, he would have to see this through to the end. She however seemed optimistic over his mood change. Finally they could make it back.
My body was completely overwhelmed with feeling. Heat something that can far and few places. I was still to weak but could feel a breeze rushing over my face, my hands covered in an unknown substance. Almost like gloves, I then realized I was somehow still alive. I had opened my eyes to be met with a face that was slowly pushing what seemed to be a handlebar. My eyes started to stream from the tears, no longer would confusion and emptiness be swirling around me. "Thank yo-". I then realized my mouth was covered and the whispering did not help. If it was any louder an eager muffle is all that would have arrived. Sleep creeped upon me, but this was no nightmare. A brilliant flash of colours lit up the night. Every sense felt alive as an awe encompassing beauty approached, notes surrounded this strange sensation. I could not make hair nor tail of it.
His body was slowly stirring as Yagoda had begun her healing. Never had she seen these clothes or the number of people in the north pole. They are clothes were almost that of the earth nation, but the fabric was very tight and comforting. He was the only one they found that had proper winter clothes. The rest had frozen to death. Nothing could be done except a proper burial, but this soul she would put all her effort into saving.
Weeks had passed and she was able to feed him paste and water through her bending. He was still alive but there was no reassurance that he would awaken. She had to tend to others who needed healing as this one was now to be left to fight his own struggle with only light healing from her apprentices. She turned to her shelf and pottery that Katara and the Avatar had gifted her. "It would help with keeping your known herbs at the right place." Katara's voice soothed throughout her, she was a master in her own right. She could really use that help right now. After Sozin's comet she had become the healer for everyone with every type of illness to go to, yet she was getting tired in her old age. Staring out at the north Pole she gazed upon the younglings going to school, something she never had but bought her joy to see that those would learn more than they are able. A sudden cough and a slight groan broke her trance. He had finally started moving showing signs of recovery. This was her moment.
Dreams had engulfed him for so long but most of them were not nightmares. They had been like soothing songs calming the mind while he was dreaming, I dreamed of water ever flowing and streaming throughout him. Rivers moving beyond endless mountains, lush green fields and farms golden all being helped by water the liquid of life. I had come to know it as such throughout his endless reading and documentaries about how life works. A sense within him felt right as I always felt welcome inside water. The freedom to float, to swim and to manipulate it. The dreams were finally coming to an end as I awoke. Surrounded by warm water that was enduring, comforting and helping. Slowly opening my eyes and awaking to the beauty of ice works above, slowly the eyes moved to observe the old woman with grey hair who had been moving her arms in a swirling motion. That was when I realized the sound of the water beneath me and the bright glow of it all. A sigh of relief was all I could muster, as I knew that was not the death of me.
The food within my mouth was unfamiliar but welcome. Not a care in the world for the tastes that I had only for the hunger that was within my stomach. Keeping me alive through grounded paste and mixed with water then somehow inserting it within me. This bending was a shock to me, I had learned of this world more than I would know. This was no longer the universe I belonged, which was unnerving and baffling everything to me here was new. The cold air outside, the bland food and taste of fish that I hated. It would take some time to adjust, but that would come later as there were people who I needed to thank first. Respect was to be given but this trust that I was to give them would be hard earned.
Three days had passed, Daniel was still coming to terms with finding the stranger out it the storm of the north pole. They were regarded as heroes, but the feeling of dread encompassed him. The snowstorm had bought its own nightmares, strenuous and unrelenting. He could only find one alive, some he dragged to a quick hand built burial mount. The figures were strangely dressed yet seemed so lost. Some had frozen, others had strange black burns and smelled very metallic. Daniel had left those as they were probably killed by firebenders, and the metallic taste unsettled him.
His thoughts wandered again; would there be any fire nation rebels that seek to sabotage the north pole. Were there defectors? His teachings told him to be weary of outsiders, but he could not just leave those who had no burial or had a will to live. He glared upon the ceiling of his icehouse, laying as the chill wind blew across. He could hear the sound of rough footsteps, rumors had gone about that this stranger had awakened but three days and now able to walk seemed a bit farfetched. The footsteps got louder and louder as the wind was now howling. A loud banging was now against the pulp door, he groaned as he sat up and receded form his tiger seal bed. His thick clothing comforted him from the cold but was a chore to put on. He opened the door and saw familiar clothing yet unfamiliar shoes and eyes. This was him.
Stepping inside was quite a relief from the blizzard outside removing his old winter jacket that insolated from the wind and the extreme cold was quite the help. I gleamed around his house as I removed the hood from my head my ears immediate suffered from the cold. I turned to close the door and just took in the moment of the conversation I was about to have. I took a deep breath and turned to meet his face and was shocked for a moment, he looked so like me that I took a step back in fear. His eyes widened as he started to observe me, and he realized the same. "What do you want?" His voice revealed a hint of annoyance. "I have come to thank those who have rescued me. A debt is owed, but from what I see not much can be done to repay it." I bowed respectfully showing gratitude. "You may seem similar but that is where it ends. I do not know your goals, ideals nor your thoughts. I accept this thanking but do not expect trust from me." He bowed back looking irritated. I turned to leave the house, putting on back my hoodie and closing it around my face. As of this moment I had no place to stay and there was still the girl to thank. Yagoda had mentioned the elders would speak with me as well as the chief but that would have to wait as I still had one stop to make.
Much had changed from their hunt for food, with no tiger-seals around and only their word of mouth for bodies and a relentless snowstorm, trust was an easy thing to lose among hunters of the tribe. She had still not completed her right of passage as a hunter. Shauna's optimism was scolded, her thoughts never welcomed yet she remained unchanged. It did hurt, but a hunter must weather any storm regardless if they were those of the heart or those of capability. Her skills as a bender were underestimated and she was never confident of herself, but the horrors in those wastes had changed her. The first body they came across she jumped and was disgusted by the smell. The burns had horrified her, it seemed like the black oil fire nation benders would use. The next body was frozen he had not suffered from any burn but the body was recent due to the retention of heat. Her healing was limited but she tried nonetheless. They spent an entire day trying to revive him. Her pleads with Daniel was useless, she knew there was not enough supplied to continue this effort. So she made the suggestion for a burial mound of the two bodies. Yet as the days continued they could not drag all the bodies back to the mound and some had a horrid smell of metal.
Then they came upon the cave of fire. It had always been known for its rocks that produced sparks when struck and had rarely been used as they had no means to sustain a fire. Yet they had to return with proof of their journey, either through a living soul or the minerals from within. They had found both, but this body was barely alive. She gathered all of her fresh water and began the process.
A sudden knock broke her trance. It was not completely dark and there were few who would travel at this time in a snowstorm around the city. She had heard he awoke so it must have been Daniel. The surprise was when this face was an unfamiliar one.
This door had opened before I even got the chance to knock a second time. This time no face was suddenly in front of me instead, it was a smiling face with her hair blazing. It stood out like the moon coming across a beautiful starry sky. None in the city had her hair colour she seemed like a unique and lost soul bound to a certain torture. A smile that had hidden pain, one that I easily recognized. "I came here to thank you, everyone I spoke to said you were the one who initially found me and saved me. This is a debt I cannot easily repay, but I hope to someday." I smiled at her just as I turned and she replied. "There is no need for thanks or debts, friends are hard to find in these parts. Consider yourself lucky there are few who welcome newcomers." Her instincts had yet to fail her, his body language and words echoed empathy. Something rarely found among the hunters of the tribe. "I assume you are sleeping with Yagoda? No one else would welcome you in their home as you are an unknown to us all."
She was correct I had over welcomed my stay and said my goodbyes, the storm was raging and the wind blew across the barren icicle landscape. I approached the Home of Yagoda, and again was surprised. The door just wizzed open as quickly as I had arrived. "Come now young one, the day is long and the chief as well as the council wished to speak with you. Tomorrow we shall continue more on what needs to be done." My hands fidgeted and shivered but not from the cold but from the utter lack of technology this was all foreign to me. A basic primitive living lifestyle, I was searching for something that had yet to come into existence. I heard the sound of water moving behind me, suddenly my entire temporal lobe was encased in soothing water which utterly calmed me. This time sleep was more relaxing, and dreaming more vivid. Glimpses of the past, a life that had become a luxury.
Friends lost, technology forgotten and now an unknown world. He had awoken from his slumber to find a beautiful shining day and the sound of snow being moved. It sounded strange as if the ice was moving against earth. I crawled to the window and saw benders at work clearing the snow and moving it. Acting like snow ploughs they cleared pathways, created stairs and removed excess snow covering their layers. Everyone seemed to know their place and fulfill their duties with a certain grace. Moving away from the window I turned to find Yagoda had placed new clothes upon my sleeping cot. A navy-blue fur coat, it seemed like the neck was made from snow with the ashcot along with it. The pants matched but was also made from a thick fur, the cold was sure to be remembering.
Getting dressed was a quick endeavor as my body was not used to the cold at all. My teeth clattered along, as the frigid clothes had yet to warm up. I packed my old clothes into a dresser for hopeful use later. The food that was prepared for breakfast was surprising. Boiled eggs and what seemed to be boiled fish, none that I had ever seen. I was astonished at the taste, the food was fresh and cooked properly, usually fish was the worst food I had ever eaten but this was a completely different experience. "Today you must be truthful above all else, do not hide, you are still our guest and not part of this tribe. Although you were discovered in the forgotten wastes of snow, you are still an outsider." Her voice was firm yet jovial. She was considerate to my situation but today was to be more of an interrogation than a trial. "Thank you, Miss Yagoda. Honesty will be my policy before the council." I smiled and tried to look pleasant, but my emotions were lingering on the woeful side of the situation.
By the time I had finished the breakfast, the insulation of the fur seemed to start to work as my teeth clattered less. I stepped out into the city only to be amazed by the vastness of it. People walking and clamoring about merchants walking about the harbor waiting for the next large boat to arrive while small kayaks littered the small canals. This architecture seemed to be almost venetian during the renaissance era. Flat structures and houses with almost symmetrical steps.
Not one person's coat was the same, some had lighter blue coats others had darker blue that seemed to reflect their ice. Yagoda hurried me onwards as we continued to move towards the large structure in the center almost like a governor's house. We entered and the inside was decorated with furs coats and ice sculptures with waterbenders tending to the ceiling and the floor. Refining it and changing lines into curves. Finally, Yagoda left me in what seemed to be a waiting room, the air felt warmer here the smell of fresh snow lingered in the room waterbenders guards stood at entrance and kept their spears crossed. It seemed entry was forbidden. "You are to wait here until summoned. I must get back to my tasks. If you get thirsty ask the guards to bend you water." Their faces barely showed as their wolf helmets covered them. No emotion, just a blank stare.
It seemed like hours had passed and some food was bought to me by attendees. From what little I could gather a long debate was happening inside the council. It seemed something had gathered their full attention as they had yet to stop.
"This bickering is getting us nowhere; the snowstorm hid many bodies, and the hunting parties are returning with more. We do not know their nation, nor do we know how they got there, but my decision remains undecided with the sole survivor. Until we know more, I will not throw him to the sea." A sturdy voice had finally bought the long-needed silence. He motioned towards the guards as they opened the door and he stepped forward.
"This meeting has gone on for hours with little to no conclusions as we are unsure of one thing." He spoke with a clear voice, yet it seemed commanding. Very few had been looking at the council and seemed to focus on him. He noticed those that rescued him were also seated on the upper left balcony. "You, we don't know your intentions nor your origin. Your clothes match no known nation, you are like a wolf without teeth. Would you please enlighten us perhaps before we bicker more?" I had to hold back a laugh as I just revealed a smile, it seemed he was very irritable. "It is hard to begin somewhere so I will start with my birth." I retold the story of me not putting in any advancement of technology living a happy peaceful life until our world was consumed by endless war and fire. There was difficulty in explaining that it was no fire nation but a multitude of nations possessing weapons of immeasurable power that could destroy entire cities.
"I have spoken to the avatar before, he said the spirit world was a gateway between many worlds, I think he was saved along with many others, for some though it was too late." A familiar voice broke the silence and the leader seemed to nod. She had been quite vocal and excited in her speech. The man sitting next to her just looked unfazed still contemplating. "If what he says is true perhaps, he could be of some use to the tribe? It would be a waste of resources and knowledge. I propose a vote for him to be allowed into the tribe as long as he remains useful and adhered to our laws." Daniel seemed astute and resolute. "Very well, all those in objections speak now." The chamber echoed with silence and all seemed to nod. This was to be my fate and my own tribe something new and unknown.