Chapter 2

The temple was more beautiful than one person could hope to imagine; it was more beautiful than one person could hope to have enough appreciation for in a lifetime. Tall walls, lined with arches and statues of faces long gone from memory, preserved in ice, greeted her at first. Everything was so blue and so crisp, that she felt as though she were sullying the ground as she walked upon it.

Her eyes were wide, open, and observant, as she continued to step through the temple. It seemed to stretch, wide and long, for as far as the eye could see. Her footfalls echoed around the temple, and it sent another shiver up her spine as she took in more of the grandeur. One would think growing up in an ice palace would lessen the impact made, but something so beautiful could scarcely be imagined.

Seeing is believing.

A noise caught Katara's attention and she froze, her eyes snapping in the direction of the disturbance. She had barely noticed that she had dropped into a fighting stance until the raspy voice informed her of it.

It took a moment for her to remember how to listen, but she caught the end of his words, "…no way to behave in a temple."

She straightened up, placing her hands by her side, and laid eyes on a very weak looking man with skin as crumpled as old leather and bright white hair that reached far down his back, hunched as it was. She furrowed her brow, but managed to remember her manners and bowed lowly to him.

"Apologies, Elder. You startled me." She said evenly, lifting her gaze back from the floor to him…only, he was no longer where she had seen him. He was no longer there at all.

Looking around wildly, she could see no sign of the old, weathered man, and it caused a lump of nervousness to rise in her throat. Had she been imagining him? Where had he gone, if not? She cast a second glance behind her, but all that stood there was the entrance to the temple. In order to complete the ceremony, she would have to pass all the way through to the other side.

Shaking her head, trying to clear her thoughts, she pressed on into the depths of the temple. She felt naked, and unprepared, without a single weapon to her name. It seemed too simple that the pathway was a straight one, and it made her suspicious. She kept her eyes all around her, unable to not admire the beauty of the temple a little more. Other than her odd encounter with the man, who may or may not have existed, Katara had seen nothing but an empty, cavernous hallway. She recalled the other men and women who had entered the temple during her time, and some had taken hours to complete the journey. What awaited her here?

Only those or Royal descent, or pure Valyrian blood, could enter the temple and take the markings. Sokka had been the first in over ten years, and the last until herself. Some men and women were not seen again, once they exited the temple with their markings. Did their duty take them to fight away from the homeland?

Her steps a little more purposeful, Katara made her way further and further down the long hallway. At the end, she spotted a door and a feeling of relief settled over her. She moved a little faster, coming face-to-face with it in only moments, but her breathing faltered as she got there. This could not be the end, could it? It seemed all rather simple, and she had learned nothing.

Only one way to find out…

She placed her hands on the cool panes of the door and pushed it with some force, managing to make a space big enough to squeeze through. Huffing a little from the squeeze, she looked around her to see where she had landed. Furrowing her brow, she took in the same statues and carvings as before. Whirling around, she saw that the doors she had just walked through looked exactly like those she had entered the temple through.

Shaking her head, she went to test the way back, but the doors slammed before she could reach them. Panic rose in her throat as she whirled around, once again, to face the same hallway she had just been in. She could see the marks of her steamy footprints still tainting the shined floor. Moving with purpose, she set off the same way she had before, as there were no other choices…it was the only way.

On her second trip, she noticed the man standing by one of the statues, inspecting it carefully. She felt a sense of relief and called out to him. He turned to face her, but he did not look pleased. She recoiled slightly when he pointed his staff at her.

"You again!" He growled. His voice was raspy and held an unpleasant tone to it. She backed away slightly, judging what he might do. A man in a temple was no threat alone, but this was a spiritual temple, foretold to be a magical place, and no living being was to reside there under the laws of the last waterbenders.

Stepping back from him as he advanced closer, and faster, than she had expected, she had to catch herself as she fell backwards. Halfway through her fall, she noticed the steps, but failed to cup her head quickly enough. A sharp pain rang through her skull as it connected with the ancient steps and the world went black as pitch.

Hey guys! So, that was the second chapter of this story (ignore the numbers on the chapters, it's just how I've saved them on my computer).

Thank you so much, those of you who have reviewed already – it's very entertaining to read what you have to say about my work. I've had a few questions so far, and they're going to be a delight to answer.

I know my grammar isn't perfect, and sometimes I use the wrong word, but I don't have a beta reader to pick up on my little mistakes, as when I read through I have to weed out so many that it's almost painful…any takers?

RR: "Peak not pique. This is your only warning.

Sincerely

9gag grammar police officer drafted to"

My sincerest apologies, 9gag Grammar Police. It's my first offence, I swear! Can I go on a grammar awareness course to avoid a harsher sentencing? (I'm now highly aware of my grammatical errors, and it's putting me on edge!)

lawliness: "Sounds interesting:) i like how detailed your writing is"

Well, thank you very much! (Kisses and hugs to you!) It warmed me to read this, because I always feel like I waffle too much, or even include too much dialogue at times. Thanks for reviewing and your Katara question will be answered next chapter in the A/N!