Chapter 4: Behind the Oasis
Kyra takes in the fresh cold air of the Northern Water Tribe, she's back. Everything is made out of water turned ice and shaped into bridges, buildings and other infrastructures. It was a magnificent city indeed.
Kyra bows and thanks the trio for the lift and sets off towards the city.
Sokka was busy retrieving their things on Appa, "Hey, whatever happened to Kyra's parents?"
"I didn't ask, I don't think she likes talking about them." Katara answers as she looks at the retreating figure of Kyra.
"Her complexion and hair color is really different from you, Katara." Aang comments
"It must be because of her father's genes."
Sokka shivers at that thought, "I can't believe that she has Fire Nation genes running through her."
They all nod in agreement, and Aang's face falls, "It must be hard." He remembers while they were flying across the sea he couldn't help but ask what it was like to live in the Fire Nation.
She had the look of both pain and sadness, "It was fun actually, but good things don't last nor do they happen twice."
"Ah-Ahchoo!" Kyra sniffs, "I wonder where Master Pakku is."
"Looking for me?" A man appears behind her, he had long white hair and long white beard.
Kyra bows in respect, "Master, I have come to retrieve some of my things and to ask your permission to go to the Falls."
He places his hands behind his back and observes her from top to bottom, "It's been awhile my niece, you've grown so much."
He still remembers the once happy go lucky and joyful little girl who would smile or laugh even if she was sad. It now was replaced by someone who closed herself from the world along with her smile that could melt even the coldest hearts was gone. If only his brother never left, her father that loved her more than any father would not even her own mother.
"Uncle, it shows what you're thinking off, the way you're face is twisting in a weird way." She comments
Even so, he still sees the sunshine she used to be, "Your things are where you last left them. Honing your healing skills again, I see. That's why you're going to the falls?"
She shakes her head, "A bit, yes but, I was hoping that the spirits in the water could teach me more about bending."
"You know that only healing skills are allowed." He reminds her with a stern voice
Kyra replies at her uncle, "Oh, but when have I followed the rules? You know I like breaking them. Anyway, I wasn't serious." With that she ran off to get her things not wanting to get any more sermons from her uncle.
Pakku was shaking his head, she was just like her father, never knew how to give up and was very determined. It was sad that she was travelling alone, he tried to convince her to stay but she refused, she'd only come back for a few days and then leave again.
It hasn't changed, her home that she and her father lived. Flashbacks came rushing through her, this was why she tried to avoid places that held too much happy memories, it hurts remembering that they'll never be the same again. Sighing she looks for her twin fighting rods and secures them on her back in a crisscross.
It was a gift from her parents, it was a symbol of their love. It was customized by the Water Craftsmen and at the same time Blacksmiths from the Fire Nation one hundred and fifty years ago. When there was still harmony between all the elements. It was made of blue wood that came from the spirit world, it had beautiful and carefully hand crafted patterns. Even if it reminded her of her parents, she loved it, it was the only thing left with the memories she never wanted to erase.
"Well, Kyra, it's time to leave this place again and hopefully I'll never have to go back." She says to herself as she slings her bag on her shoulder.
Arriving at the center of the spiritual energy in the whole North Pole, the Spirit Oasis she takes off her winter clothes and takes in the beauty of nature that was fortressed by ice.
"Hello, Tui and La, it's been awhile." She greets the Koi fishes swimming in circles as she places her hands on the water, she feels her spiritual energy intensify.
She then sets off for the falls above them. It was a slippery path but she had managed. Deep inside the Spirit Oasis lies the water fall, the water that directly comes from the Spirit World and into the Mortal World straight into the pond the Koi fishes resides in.
The falls was magnificent, it never uttered a sound as it made contact from the water but looks can be deceiving. Once a foreign object touches the water it instantly turns into ice that can never be thawed out. Kyra takes her clothes off and all that's left were her purple sarashi or strips of clothes wrapped on her chest and purple shorts, breathing in large amounts of air she swims to the middle of the river right below the falls.
Sitting crossed legged on the stone as she takes the impact of the water she never once turned into ice. Her skin welcoming the ice cold water while Focusing and clearing her mind she goes into a deep trance.
Tui and La appears on the river and watches the girl as she meditates and regains her lost spiritual energy.
"Tui, how long before her body rejects it?" the black Koi fish asks referring to the purple energy coming from the spirit world and into the body of the girl with long golden brown hair.
Tui couldn't fathom that they might lose another water tribe girl, Yue was soon going to depart, not Kyra too. "Soon. Very soon."
La was thinking the same as his counterpart, if her expressions remains as cold as ice, her time in the mortal world is soon to end. If only she'd melt the pain and sadness in her heart then she wouldn't have to go back to the Oasis to replenish her lost spiritual energy. It was the only thing that's keeping her alive.
Bluish white glow emanates from Kyra's whole body, a clear sign that she's crossed over to the spirit world. Although she doesn't venture out too far, for the spirit world is a never ending realm that would lead to one place and next thing you know you're half way around the world. All she does there is to meditate and regenerate her energy and sometimes wander off although she tries not do so that often. She's had enough with grumpy meditating monkeys.
"Ready, aim, fire!" Zhao shouts at his crew and all of the fire navy ships let off their fire balls headed straight towards the fortress of ice.
"Do whatever you can to guard the people!" commands Pakku as him and the rest of the water benders fend off the fire nation for they have now invaded their territory.
Two days has passed and Kyra finally awakes from her trance. The air smells different it's as if the snow was mixed in with fire. Fire? How could that be?
It was twilight in the water tribe but something going on outside the oasis, as she sees a gigantic glowing spirit that seems to be attacking something. Tui and La were gone but she feels that Tui has gotten weaker. What happened while she was gone?
She wears her clothes in haste and goes back into the city. Traces of battle are clearly seen, buildings were destroyed. There was an invasion? No, they're still here.
"You tried to have me killed!" shouts a familiar voice and Kyra hears the hurling of fire. She follows the blaze of fire and finds herself watching the prince in battle versus the admiral whom who tried to kill them a few days before.
It was a fierce fight between Zhao and Zuko, but it was clear that the boy was winning, he is skilled indeed. Too bad his source is from his anger. Zuko was wearing a different type of clothes, he was prepared for the cold climate, for he wore a white thick ninja-like battle suite.
Soon it was over and Zhao was then engulfed by a blue colored hand, "Take my hand!" Zuko tries to save the man but the proud admiral retreats his hand. He stares at the banished prince, ashamed and humiliated that he was defeated by a mere boy. Although, he was one to accept his defeat and let's the spirit take him to his punishment.
The prince watched with a horrified face as the admiral disappears into the water. Is this the power of the spiritual world? He sighs, too drained to even stand up but, he hears another sound of foot steps and shoots a fire ball towards it although he or she was able to dodge it by skillfully doing a one hand cartwheel.
"Seriously, you need to stop throwing fire balls at me." Kyra's figure comes out from the shadows.
"Why am I not surprised you're here." Zuko comments as he lays on the ground he was too exhausted to stand.
Kyra tilts her head to the side but sits beside the tired boy, she gets a hold of a block of ice and melts it on her hand. It starts to glow purple and places it on Zuko's wounded face.
Surprised Zuko opens his eyes, "What are you doing?"
Kyra continues to touch the burns on his face and they glow at contact, "Don't be too alarmed, stupid. This is not the first time I did this to you."
The touch of her hand was cold but welcoming and he feels that his wounds were healing, "How come you're not attacking me, instead you're even healing me. I am from the Fire Nation." He barely says the latter in a whisper.
This doesn't cross her mind, but she doesn't stop. No matter who it was whether it is an opponent so long as they are wounded she was obliged to heal them. It was a curse that would sometimes get her in trouble. "Well, I never really sensed any threat from you."
Zuko snorts, "Coming from the girl who never shows any emotion."
Zuko feels his face and sure enough the burn marks were gone, replaced by a good feeling on his face.
Kyra stands up and dusts herself off, "It's better than being angry all the time." She starts walking, "Until we meet again, Prince."