Well here's another chapter. Once again, I don't own anything but the OC's, and some of the general plot points. please leave a review. Both comments, and constructive criticism are greatly appreciated.
Chapter: 6
As the Power Benders took Korra, and Asami back to Cauldera; Bright Eyes was making his way deep into the spirit world. The dark spirit was moving swiftly over rocky terrain until he came to a fog filled valley. Massive trees would shoot out of the mist in random places. The sky was a deep red, and the foreboding silence that covered the area was only broken by the cries of dark spirits hidden in the fog. 'Master definitely won't be pleased' he thought to himself as he came to stand before a massive dead tree. At the base of the tree was a large opening leading underground. Bright eyes followed the tunnel deep into the earth until he finally came to a massive cavern. The ceiling was covered with stalactites, and roots from the tree above, while the floor had large stalagmites throughout the floor; making it difficult for any human to pass through. There was very little light in the chamber except for the dim glow of torches deeper in the chamber.
As bright eyes got closer he could hear voices coming from up ahead. Evidently master wasn't alone. "Please don't let them be here." Bright eyes half wished, half muttered to himself. The dark spirit steeled his nerves as he entered the small torch lit clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a throne roughly carved from a stalagmite, and a cloaked figure seated on either side of it. The only distinguishable feature of the two figures was a pair of blue and amber eyes. Upon the throne it's self was a fire nation man in his early forties. He was clean shaven with black hair, and light skin. Had his eyes not been glowing red, they would have been a bright amber color. The man didn't speak, he only watched as bright eyes slowly came to kneel before him.
While bright eyes waited patiently to be addressed, he did not notice the massive centipede like creature lower itself to the ground behind him.
"What brings you here spirit?" asked a calm, cool voice.
Bright eyes flinched at the unexpected presence. "I have grave news lord Koh." He answered.
"If the news is that the Power Benders handed you your ass again, that's nothing new." mocked the amber eyed young man on the thrones right.
"You're in trouble, you're in trouble." The blue eyed young woman on the thrones left taunted childishly. Bright eyes could only grind his fangs in irritation. Any retaliation on his part would not end well for him.
"Silence!" commanded the man on the throne with a gesture of his hand. "What news do you bring me servant?" the man asked. His tone was even, and emotionless. It sent a chill up bright eyes spine.
"The Avatar, and her pretty little pet are free lord Vaatu." The spirit answered. The arm of the stone throne shattered in Vaatu's sudden grip.
"Don't they still have a few thousand years left to go?" the blue eyed young woman asked in confusion.
"Obviously they got out early on good behavior." Koh said as he circled around the still kneeling bright-eyes. "Which begs the question where are they now?" Koh asked as he came face to face with the smaller spirit. Bright eyes was hard pressed not to let his fear show as he looked into the red eyes of Koh's blue oni face. There was no face human, beast, or spirit that was truly safe from Koh the face stealer.
"I was about to recapture her, but the power benders arrived, and."
"The Beifong girl handed you your ass again. Did I call it, or what." The young man interrupted.
"Lord Vaatu, when can we have a turn to play with them? I want to see if their blood matches their uniforms." The girl whined.
"Enough!" Vaatu barked, and the room fell silent. "Children leave us." He ordered in a tone that left no room for argument.
"Yes lord Vaatu." The young man sighed, as he stood up, and walked over to a side corridor. The girl stood up, and made eye contact with bright eyes. "You're in trouble, you're in trouble." She began to taunt again as she skipped out after the young man.
"Release him Koh." Vaatu ordered. Koh smirked at bright eyes, and crawled over to a stalagmite. The large spirit wrapped himself around the stone formation, and turned his attention to the grand spirit of chaos. Bright eyes gulped, and did the same. Vaatu stood, and began to circle the trembling spirit.
"Raava is free?" Vaatu asked. His words were cold, and clipped.
"Yes lord Vaatu." Bright eyes answered as he stared at the stone floor.
"And you failed to capture her?"
"Yes lord Vaatu."
"Which sanctuary will she be hiding in?" Vaatu asked as he continued circling.
"They took her west my lord. To Cauldera I believe."
Vaatu's eyes narrowed at the mention of the fire nation capitol. He finished circling, and came to a stop in front of the shaking spirit. Vaatu has never been the most tolerant of failure. Bright eyes slowly looked up from the pair of boots that entered his field of vision. Only to be met by a pair of glowing crimson eyes.
"Tell me servant what reason do I have to not eradicate you right here, and now." Vaatu asked coldly. The terrified spirits eyes widened at the question.
"I have been most loyal to you my lord, and very few have been more zealous than I in this war. I have won you dominion over much of the earth kingdom, and I have even laid low Zaofu, and Omashu at your command." Bright eyes rambled out desperately.
Vaatu held the spirits frightened gaze for several more moments that felt like centuries to bright eyes. "It is true you have proven yourself more than capable in the past. However your failures are beginning to outnumber your accomplishments. I strongly suggest you tread very carefully servant. Further failures will not be so easily forgiven. Do I make myself clear?" Vaatu finale said.
"Yes lord Vaatu." Bright eyes answered, as he sighed internally in relief.
"Now summon Wan Shi Tong." Vaatu commanded, as he returned to his throne.
"Yes lord Vaatu." Bright eyes replied as he rushed from the shadowed chamber to carry out his orders.
"Well that was entertaining, but I was expecting something more explosive." Koh said from his perch, as he watched the spirit leave.
"Are you volunteering face stealer?" Vaatu asked.
"No no I can wait until the next unwary messenger comes along. What do you plan to do now that the avatar has returned?" Koh asked.
"Nothing has changed Koh. I will still raze this world, and eradicate those miserable creatures. Raava's freedom only means that she will be there to watch as her world crumbles." Vaatu spoke without any trace of emotion in his voice. He was even beginning to put Koh on edge.
"Only two bastions remain for mankind to hide in, they are on the edge." Koh spoke carefully.
"It's true that I've pushed them to the brink, but they have proven themselves far more unpredictable, and resilient than I thought. Without Raava to protect them they should have fallen swiftly." Vaatu said.
"Even when they are laid low, and with everything against them, hope allows them carry on." Koh said.
"Very true" Vaatu conceded. "They hoped that Raava would return. They hoped that those barriers would hold strong. They hoped that their champions could protect them. Those power benders have been a thorn in my side from the very beginning. Now that my full strength has returned I will break their champions, I will shatter their barriers, and when the end comes I will show them how misplaced their 'hope' in Raava truly is." Vaatu proclaimed.
"As close as we are to victory, we can't underestimate them now. These new power benders are more powerful than the originals, and with the Avatar among them, they could pose a very real threat." Koh warned, as he changed his face to that of an old man.
"They could, but they won't." Vaatu said with a grin.
"What do you mean?" Koh asked.
"Until now the humans have only been able to defend themselves. Now with Raava back among them, they will be bolder, and go on the offensive. There is very little that Raava can do that the power benders can't do themselves." Vaatu explained.
Koh grinned wickedly as he caught on. "So what you're saying is"
"That they now wield a double edged sword." Another voice cut the face stealer off.
Both Vaatu, and Koh turned to see a massive black, and white barn owl make his way into the chamber.
"While they now have a fighting chance, they have also become painfully predictable. You summoned me lord Vaatu." Wan Shi Tong said with a respectful bow of his head to Vaatu.
"Nice of you to join us librarian" Koh spoke.
"My sincerest apologies lord Vaatu" he said ignoring Koh. "I was putting the finishing touches on my new fire nation section." The owl explained.
"Ah so you finally got that old project done. I'm not surprised it took you this long to complete it. Collecting all that knowledge takes so much time; especially when you're short- handed." Koh said with a grin as he changed his face to that of a fox, one of Wan Shi Tong's knowledge seekers.
Wan Shi Tong narrowed his eyes as he glared at Koh. "Thank you for your concern Koh. If anyone can understand having their prized possessions set fire to, it would be you." The owl replied coolly. Koh growled back in response.
"That's enough you two. There is work to be done." Vaatu interrupted the two powerful spirits. After silencing any further arguments from Koh with a glare, Vaatu's crimson gaze met the owl's dark orbs.
"I take it since you have time to dabble in your library, that the task I gave you is complete?" Vaatu asked.
"Of course I have lord Vaatu. I have gathered them all from first to last, just as you ordered." Wan Shi Tong answered.
"Good, because I have a new task for you." Vaatu said with a wicked grin.
