Spirits' Creed
Chapter 10: Higher State
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender
Time seemed to slow as the Earth Kingdom Ninjas dropped from the rooftops they had landed on. Like leaves from a vine, they fell slowly. But they were not like fragile tiny shell; they were dangerous ruthless fighters. Everything from their straw hats to their armor to their visible weapons told Zuko to be on guard. Instincts told him these guys were far more dangerous than the Dai Li.
As soon as the Ninjas jumped at them, the Champions each raised their left arm and fired a bullet from their hidden firearm. Much to the Champion's surprise, the Ninjas had drawn their blades. Two of the Ninjas had deflected the bullets with their swords. The third one however was to slow and was struck in the throat; with a hole in his neck he began to choke to death on his blood.
'That's one down,' thought Zuko, 'now just eleven more to go.' With weapons at the ready by everyone the two groups charged.
Long Feng sat in front of his office's fireplace as he meditated breathing in and out slowly, trying his best to relax. But it was hard to do so, with enemies hiding in the shadows of the city, his city. These Champions were quickly becoming a bigger thorn in his side than the foolish Avatar child. Unlike the Avatar, the Champions had no qualms about killing his agents he sent out to find them and watch them. He wasn't naive enough to believe that the people would reveal anything to him or the Dai Li; for they cheered the Champions' actions even if it was behind closed doors. However, unbeknownst to people, Long Feng had a trump card up his sleeve. When Kuei had become the Earth King at such a young age it was believed that the Earth Kingdom's strongest soldiers, the Ninja, had disbanded. In truth, they had not. Long Feng kept them running with his own special form of training, should he ever need their services and with the Champions' war on his Dai Li it was the perfect time to use them.
As it was well known that there were three Champions, Long Feng sent twelve Ninjas to find them. It shouldn't be too hard of a fix as it usually took a squad of Dai Li to handle one Ninja; there was no way three fighters could handle twelve fully trained Ninjas.
The door to his office banged open and a pair of rushed footsteps scurried to him. Before his interrupter could speak, Long Feng spoke first, "I am in the middle of meditating and waiting for a report."
"Sir, this is-" The Dai Li agent began and was quickly cut off.
"Whatever it is agent, it can wait until after I hear ninjas' report."
"It's about-"
"I don't think you understand me. It can wait until later. I am your commander and I have giving you an order. As one of the Dai Li agents, it is your responsibility to obey that order. That is what is known as, the Chain of Command. I give you an order and you follow that order. Understand?"
Without a word the agent bowed low and quietly left the room.
Once the agent was out of his office, Long Feng let out a small dramatic sigh and resumed his meditation in peace once more as he waited for the report from the Ninjas.
And waited…
And waited…
"Where are they?" Long Feng asked aloud in anger. For three hours he had been waiting for the report. "It shouldn't take them this long to find three people and kill them."
Angry at having been kept waiting so long, Long Feng stood up, intent on finding out what was keeping the Ninjas' report. He walked to his office's doors and flung them open. Seeing the agent he had dismissed hours before standing a few feet from his office, he asked the agent, "Do you know what is keeping the Ninjas?"
"That's what I was trying to tell you earlier sir," began the agent. "They won't be reporting in. They're dead."
"What?" Long Feng cried in alarm. "How is that possible?"
"One found with shattered chest armor and three two-foot long stakes of earth piercing his chest."
The fire from his opponent burned fiercely at his armor, as soon as the fire died and intense coldness from the waterbender gripped him. As his heart beat erratically from the drastic temperatures and their changes, three two-foot long stakes of solid rock slammed into him; shattering his armor as they embedded themselves deeply into his chest.
"One with a sword wound through the armor."
His opponent broke his sword, with his Dao swords. In one fluid movement, the blades were brought together as one and thrusted forward; the heat of the blade cutting through the armor. With the blades still in him, his opponent twisted hard before yanking his swords out. As he fell to his knees, his opponent reared his foot back and slammed it hard into his face.
"Three were found with their heads turned to a one-eighty degree of where they should have been."
Just as they took their first steps forward towards the three hooded figures, they stopped as they felt the bones of their bodies were no longer under their control. Just as quickly, their heads were twisted until their necks snapped; killing them.
"One was found with what appears to be multiple knife wounds."
He charged at her, sword at the ready. Just as he was mere feet from making the strike, something struck him in the arm, then in the legs, the chest, the arms, the thighs, and finally in his neck. All around him were throwing knives that were circling around him being stained red with his blood.
"One was found with what looks like the remains of a lightning strike."
He had just pierced her arm with his sword when he felt it. The red lightning smashed into him with the force of the Great Wall of Ba Sing Se, every muscle in his body moving at uncontrollable speeds until they burnt themselves up.
"Two were found with the backs of their heads blown off."
They had her trapped in their razor chains. All they had to do now was pull hard and she would be cut into several bloody pieces. Before they could even pull on the chains, they dropped them as an intense and painful pressure rapidly building up inside their skulls. A second later and the pain was gone; along with the back half of their heads too.
"One was discovered to be cleanly cut through five times."
He jumped back avoiding both the spear of earth from the ground and the blast of fire. As he was in mid-air he was unable to avoid the high-pressure water that came at him and cut through him, not once but five times. His body fell to the ground in a bloody heap.
"And finally," said the agent winding down his report. "We found one who choked to death on his own blood due to this having somehow forced a hole through his neck." He pulled an object out of his pocket and held it out for the Grand Secretariat.
Long Feng picked up the object and looked at it. It was nothing more than a very small metal sphere and it wasn't even as big as his little finger's fingernail. How could something like this kill a person? "What is this?" He asked aloud.
"We aren't sure sir," replied the agent. "But we believe that it may be part of a weapon as we found it in the hole that was formed in the Ninja's neck. Also sir, we found this at the scene." The agent handed him a small scroll with the words 'To Long Feng' written on it.
Long Feng took the scroll, unrolled it and read the simple one sentence message, Better luck next time. Long Feng's eyes narrowed in rage as he crushed scroll; they were mocking him. He'd find a way to silence these Champions if it was the last thing he ever did.
"How are you feeling, Yue?" Jin asked as she and Zuko carried her down the stairs to the Elemental Chamber between them.
"Well, let's see," began Yue in a pained voice. "We nearly had our asses handed to us and I have a piece of steel going through my arm. I'm feeling great, why do you ask?"
"Don't need the lip," replied Jin as Zuko opened the door for them.
They quickly sat Yue down and began the process of healing her arm. As Jin carefully pulled the steel out, Yue used her waterbending to stop the blood flow and numb the arm. Zuko quickly followed the removal of the blade with his healing green fire. It took the three several minutes to heal Yue's arm, but once they were done there was not even a scar on her arm. Yue stood up from the chair and began to lightly stretch her arm to see if there was any pain. To everyone's relief there wasn't any.
"We are glad to see that the three of you have been fairing well." Spoke a voice from behind them.
The three young adults turned to see that standing behind them were the Elder Spirits to each of their bending elements.
"Elders," replied the Champions with a bow of their heads.
"I wish we were here on a pleasant note, but sadly we are not," began Kiirojimen.
"Over the past several weeks each of you have grown stronger and stronger. However ever since your defeat of Aku, we have felt the Varsealm growing stronger." Said Akaimizu. "With Aku the three of you were lucky to defeat him. While it is highly unlikely that you would be facing anyone as strong as him again, it is very probable that you will be facing an overwhelming amount of opposition from the remaining forces. You have all seen the growing number of spirit monsters with each attack. Where Aku was only one, there will now be hundreds."
"For this reason we have decided that each of you need to take your strength to the next level," Finished Aoihi.
"Next level," Yue asked. "How many levels are there?"
"There are three levels of strength with judging bending strength," replied Aoihi. "Currently, the three of you are at the first level, Elemental State. At this level you bend the most basic form of your element. What each of you are learning, anyone can learn with enough practice. The reason it comes to each of you so quickly is because of your Mindscape. The next level depends on what element you bend. Just as the Avatar has the Avatar State so do each of the elements. Firbenders have the Inferno State, Waterbenders have the Tsunami State, and Earthbenders have the Mountain State."
"So what, are our eyes going to start glowing like the Avatar's do?" Zuko interrupted.
"Not exactly, it will depend on how much strength you use. When you are in your state the more power you draw on the more your eyes will glow," replied Aoihi. "Take the Firebender and Earthbender, while they both cannot bend water it is possible to heat water up to where it is hot enough for a Firebender to bend the heat in the water and thus the water. If an Earthbender is surrounded by salt water, they can bend the salt and thus once more bend the water."
The three Champions were surprised by this. Sure they were able to do bend their elements in ways that didn't make any sense, but that was because most never allowed themselves to think beyond what was to what could be. But the thought of bending their element within another element was not only unheard of, but ludicrous.
"The final level is the Omni State," Aoihi continued. "At this level you combine your physical self and your spiritual self together."
"How do we do that?" Yue asked.
"Well, you see in order to do that," Aoihi began but was quickly cut off.
"We don't know," said Kiirojimen.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Zuko asked. If an Elder Spirit didn't know it would have to be something big.
"No one has ever met the qualifications to awaken the Omni State," Kiirojimen explained. "For several thousands of years we kept the Omni State unlocked, but when it became apparent to us that no one was going to reach it, we locked it away. Now, with the growing threat of the Varsealm we have decided to unlock it."
"What are the qualifications to reach this level?" Jin asked.
"First, you cannot be the Avatar," replied Akaimizu. "Second, it is possible to bypass the second level and go straight to the third level from the first level. However, it is recommended that you do not do that as you will have to be under a great amount of emotional trauma to do so. Third, when going to the third level from the second level you must be at peace within yourself, you must feel everything and feel nothing."
The young adults each raised an eyebrow at this. "So, how do we reach our second level then?" Yue asked for them.
"You must each undergo your own tests," replied Aoihi. "For you Prince Zuko; you must go before the Firebending Masters, the dragons. Not only must you pass their test, but you must gain their favor."
"The dragons are dead," Zuko countered.
"Are you sure about that?" Aoihi asked him. "Speak with your Uncle." She added, seeing Zuko's wide-eyed look.
"For you Princess Yue," Akaimizu began, "you must journey inward and confront the darkest corners of yourself."
Kiirojimen then stepped forward and faced Jin, "Jin, you have already started your growth into the Mountain State. Unlike fire and water, reaching the second level for earthbenders takes time. You must be like the mountains, firm and unwavering in your decisions."
"When did I start?" Jin asked curiously.
"During the fight with Aku, when you bent your own bones, is when you started," replied Kiirojimen.
"So, if I reach the second level I'll be able to do more," asked Jin.
"Yes," replied Akaimizu. "In fact each of you will be able to do so much more. Not only will you be stronger, but you will be able to train together in your mindscapes and even bring other people in. However, you must each reach the second level first."
The Elder Spirits than began to fade away, back to the Spirit World. The Champions stood in silence from a moment, before Zuko finally broke the silence. "Well, looks like we know what we're going to be doing for the upcoming week."
"What are you going to do?" Jin asked her boyfriend.
"I'm going to talk to Uncle Iroh about the Dragons and find out what I need to do," replied Zuko. He then turned to Yue and asked, "What about you Yue?"
"I'm going to take a day off work and confront my inner-self," Yue replied to her friend's question. "What about you Jin?"
"I'll just wait for the time to expire as Kiirojimen said it would take time," replied Jin. "Other than that, I'll continue to work at my job and my brothel."
The three young friends then bid their good-byes to each other and each headed in their own direction.
It was late as Iroh carefully attended to his bonsai tree in the apartment's window ledge garden. As the door to the apartment opened, he continued to work as he glanced at the apartment door to see his nephew walking in.
"How was your night, Zuko?" Iroh asked him.
"It was good, Uncle," replied Zuko, "rough but good."
The exiled prince walked over to his uncle and sat on the floor, leaning his back against the wall. "Uncle, where would I find the firebending masters, the dragons?" Zuko asked after a moment of comfortable silence.
Iroh was so surprised at his nephew's sudden question that he unintentionally cut the branch his was grooming on the bonsai tree. "Zuko you know that the dragons are gone," replied Iroh. "I killed the last dragon."
"I know you said you killed the last dragon," Zuko countered. "I also know that earlier tonight Aoihi appeared before me and said I would need to go before the masters. She also said you would know how."
Iroh breathed deeply for a moment before setting down the small shears and sitting across from his nephew. "It is true that I didn't kill the last dragon," Iroh began. "The dragons are the original teachers of firebending. It was dishonorable of Sozin to begin hunting the dragons. Understand this now, Zuko, when the masters judge they look into your soul and view your ancestry. Because of that, they may not be so happy to see you."
"But you passed their judgment."
"True, but you are not me," replied Iroh. "Here is what you need to know."
Iroh spent the next several hours instructing Zuko on where to find the masters and on what to do when he arrived.
Hearing a knock at her door, Xain exited the kitchen and went to answer in. Cautiously she opened the door and then opened it wide, once she saw her daughter's boyfriend standing outside. "Good morning, Lee," Xain greeted him.
"Good morning ma'am," replied Lee. "Is Jin up yet?"
"She should be," replied Xain as she closed the door behind Lee. "Has something happened?"
"Did she tell you about last night?"
"Yes about you each having to go through a test."
"Well my test requires a partner and I would like to ask Jin for help."
"Alright then, go on up," Xain said with a nod towards the stairs.
Zuko quietly trekked up the stairs to Jin's room; letting the other members of Jin's family go on about their morning routines and pausing only long enough to return the greeting Zena, Maro, and Kane gave him as their sifu. Once he arrived at Jin's door he knocked and waited a moment for Jin to answer.
"Zu-Lee, what are you doing here?" Jin asked as she opened her door and noticed him standing there.
"I'm here because I need your help," replied Zuko as he walked into Jin's room. "My test requires a partner and I would like your help."
"Okay. What do I need to do?"
"Pack some clothes, at least two days worth. I've got everything else," replied Zuko; indicating the pack he was currently carrying.
"Where are we going?" Jin asked as she started to pack.
"We're going to Drak Island, the home of the ancient Sun Warrior civilization," replied Zuko "It's in the Fire Nation."
"The Fire Nation?" Jin asked in surprise as she stopped packing and whirled around to face Zuko.
"Where else would you expect to find fire bending masters?" replied Zuko. Zuko pulled a small folded piece of paper out of his robes and unfolded it. "Look here," he said showing Jin that it was a map. "Here is Ba Sing Se and here is Drak Island," Zuko said as he indicated the distance. Drak Island appeared to be a rather small island located north and far to the east of the Fire Nation's main islands.
"Is it inhabited?" Jin asked him.
"Uncle Iroh said we'd find out when we got there," replied Zuko. "But there aren't any chances of us running into any soldiers. The way I see it we go over there, I do the test with your help, we spend the night, and then we're back here tomorrow afternoon."
"What about Yue?"
"I already talked to her. Yue is taking the day off doing her own test."
"Alright then. I guess we're going to the Fire Nation," replied Jin. She then turned around and finished her packing.
Fifteen minutes later the young couple was sailing through the air, heading east towards the Fire Nation and Ba Sing Se far behind them.
While her friends were off for Zuko to do his own test, Yue was starting her own test. She had just finished her shower and was now sitting on the floor starting to meditate.
'How long is this going to take?' Yue thought to herself after what felt like several hours of sitting on the floor. She had always been able to enter her mindscape easy; once she was deeply meditating the blackness would fade into her icy tundra training ground. Usually it was only a twenty minute wait, but this had been much longer than twenty minutes. Yue opened her eyes to find that she wasn't in her mindscape or even her apartment. In fact, she was in a place she had never seen before. It was dark and looked like a swamp, however it was far colder than she would have expected for a place she heard was suppose to be warm.
'I guess I'm here,' Yue thought as she stood up and looked around. All around her were trees and water. Suddenly from behind her a splash was heard. Yue whirled around and saw nothing but the rippling of the water. She frowned slightly, narrowed eyes looking to and fro. Seeing nothing she turned back around and jumped back in surprise at the figure that had snuck up behind her. Looking at the figure, Yue felt her heart stop. It was herself! In front of her was herself, as Princess of the Northern Water Tribe.
"Who are you?" Yue asked in a shock filled voice.
"I am the Moon Spirit, Tui," replied Tui.
"Why have you taken my appearance?" Yue asked confused as to why the spirit would look like her.
"It is not I who has taken your appearance, but you who have taken mine," replied Tui. She then narrowed her eyes and continued. "I'm here to take back what is mine."
"What are you taking back?" Yue asked trying her best to keep the quiver of worry out of her voice.
"Your life," replied Tui harshly.
High above the ocean Jin and Zuko flew on the platform of earth that Jin was controlling. Ba Sing Se was far behind them and soon they would be arriving to Drak Island home of the ancient Sun Warrior city.
"Any idea what you need to do?" Jin asked as she was curious as to what this test would require.
"Uncle said we'll need to go the main temple and learn something called 'The Dancing Dragon'. Once we learn that, we are to sit and meditate as we wait to be brought before the masters," replied Zuko.
"Is something wrong Zuko?" Jin asked as she noticed how hard he seemed to be thinking.
"It's about founding out that the dragons are still alive." He replied as he turned his head to look at her.
"Isn't that a good thing and why wouldn't the dragons be around?"
"When the war began my great-grandfather, Fire Lord Sozin, began the tradition of hunting the dragons. The last dragon was said to have been killed years ago, by my Uncle. With the way Uncle Iroh spoke, I get the feeling that we'll not only meet the dragons but also the Sun Warrior civilization and nearly all records say that they died out thousands of years ago," replied Zuko. "I'm getting the feeling that we won't be so warmly received."
"But they let your Uncle in. Surely, they'll let you in," Jin countered.
"There's just one problem," began Zuko with a sigh, "I'm Ozai's son; not Azulon's."
"So?"
"Even though most of the war was during Fire Lord Azulon's rule; the past eight years of my father's rule have been even worse," replied Zuko. "That's why I don't think the Sun Warriors or the Firebending Masters will be overly eager to see me."
A moment of silence passed between the young couple, before Jin spoke once more. "Why did Fire Lord Sozin start hunting the dragons?"
"Dragons were seen as the ultimate firebenders," replied Zuko. "If you could conquer one your firebending talents would become legendary and you would gain the title, Dragon."
"So getting this title was enough for firebenders to start hunting the dragons?"
"Yes, it was," replied Zuko somberly. "It was just one of several titles to be gained in the Fire Nation, but it was the most coveted."
"What are some of the other titles?" Jin asked curiously.
"The only other titles that I can recall are Catudhatu, Ajña, and Beowulf," Zuko replied as he thought back to his old school lessons. "Catudhatu, is the title given to any citizen by the Fire Lord who is able to defeat a fully realized Avatar or defeat masters of Waterbending, Earthbending, Firebending, and Airbending at the same time. Basically a person has to overcome all four of the bending elements in the same fight; so far this has only happened five times in recorded Fire Nation history. Ajña, is the title given to a non-bender of the Fire Nation when they defeat a hundred benders at once. The only one who's earned the title recently is the sword master Piandao of Shu Jing. The last title is Beowulf and it's an interesting one."
"How's it interesting?"
"Legend tells that before Agni learned Firebending from the dragons he came upon a small island and it was on that island that the only other known species to bend fire, like the dragons, resided there. They were the beowulvess, a nocturnal animal that lived in small packs. Originally, Agni tried to learn from the beowulves, but he always fell asleep when trying to learn from them. So one night a beowulf came up to Agni and spoke to him, urging him to seek the dragons and explained that the dragons would be far better teachers for him to learn from. Agni went on his way to learn from the dragons, but never forgot the kindness of the beowulves. To honor them, a special title was made in their honor for all night-born firebenders. In the Fire Nation, firebender's abilities with bending are prejudged at what time they were born. The best are seen as those born at noon, as that's the time the sun is at its peak; from there, the closer to noon the better. It's viewed as weak to be born during the night and the worst night to be born is on a moonless night. The reason I told you this is because Beowulf is the title given to a firebender who was born at night and bests a Firebending master. Care to guess when I was born?"
"At night?"
"Yep and not just any night, but a moonless night; that was filled with storm clouds so that even the stars didn't shine. Needless to say, a lot of people were surprised that I could bend, but that didn't stop them from thinking that I was still weak. Especially, once Azula started bending."
"Are the beowulves still around?" Jin asked aloud.
"No they aren't around anymore," replied Zuko. "The beowulves weren't hunted like the dragons. The only known place in the entire world where they existed was that island and one day the island simply vanished without a trace."
The two continued soaring through the air on Jin's platform of earth as she thought about what Zuko had told her. She knew from her talks with Zuko that his sister, Azula, was the favored child of their father. And with her tendency, to roast the crap out of things; how could she not be? Jin swore that if she ever met the younger girl that she would bury the little sadist.
"My what," asked Yue with wide scared eyes.
"Your life," replied Tui. "It's mine and I'm here to take it back as I find you unworthy of having my life."
Without waiting for the girl to respond, Tui shot her arm forward and pierced Yue's stomach with her hand.
Yue herself cried out in pain as she felt her stomach being pierced. She could feel Tui's fingers wrapping around something inside of her and it wasn't flesh or bone. As the Moon Spirit began to pull out, Yue looked down and saw a small white light being pulled out of her. The brighter the light became and the more light there was the weaker Yue felt.
'That's my life, isn't it?' Yue thought to herself. 'She's pulling out my very soul.'
As her vision grew dark, Yue's mind began to reply her life in her head. She saw everything that she had done and experienced; her childhood, the loss of her mother, the invasion of the north, her death, resurrection, coming to Ba Sing Se, making real friends for the first time in her life, and finding love in the form of two beautiful women. Out of all the events, she stopped at one crystal clear moment and viewed it. It was a private conversation that she had had with her friend, Zuko, just days ago.
(Flashback)
Yue looked down at the smooth cut she had just given the boulder that had previously been in front of her. She was in the training room of the Elemental Chamber and was busily working on improving her waterbending attacks. Even though, some would say the improvement wasn't really necessary; Yue wanted to be at the best of her combat skills. All it would take was one mistake for them to be taken out and defeating Aku and Shkiit had proven that.
"What are you doing Yue?" asked a voice behind her.
"Working on getting better," she replied as she turned her head back to look at her friend, Zuko. "We got our asses handed to us by Aku, Jin nearly died, and you were almost killed by Shkiit. If we're going to be a match against anyone for the rest of this war, we need to improve desperately."
"Why do we need to improve?" Zuko asked with a shrug. "We beat Aku and he was supposed to be some sort of insanely powerful spirit."
"No he wasn't. Aku was still in a weakened state. We beat him before he had his strength restored. Remember?"
The firebending Prince carefully thought back to everything he had been told about Aku. His eyes went wide as realization dawned on him. "Son of a bitch," Zuko spoke in a whisper.
"Yep, that's about what I said," replied Yue. "I don't know about you, but I want to survive this war and enjoy the bit of freedom I'll have before I have to go back to the Northern Water Tribe."
"What do you mean?"
"You know that's I'm a princess, right?" Seeing him nod, Yue continued, "When I return to the Northern Water Tribe. I will marry a man, who will lead the tribe and to continue the royal bloodline. Even though, I won't love him."
"What makes you say you won't love him? You could grow to love him over time."
"I have already given my heart and self to the ones I love," replied Yue.
"What?" Zuko asked louder than normal, his eyes wide with shock.
"Do you remember Lieu and Nu, from the club?" Yue asked him.
"Yeah," replied Zuko. "You mean that…"
Blushing furiously, Yue nodded her head.
"Oh, well… Congratulations I guess," Zuko replied awkwardly as talking about a friend's sex life was never his forte.
"Why couldn't Lieu and Nu be with you in the Northern Water Tribe?" Zuko asked after a moment of silence.
"Because being with a person of your same sex is forbidden in the tribe," Yue replied sadly. "It is my destiny to leave them, marry someone I won't love, and continue the line of my family."
"Is that your destiny or the destiny someone else has chosen for you?" asked Zuko.
Yue turned her head towards her friend; wondering what he was getting at.
"There are those who struggle against destiny and achieve only an early grave. There are those who flee destiny only to have it swallow them whole. There are those who embrace destiny and do not show their fear. Those are the ones who change the world forever. Yue, we stand on the precipice of change. War and death are approaching us from all sides. We cannot evade it, we cannot deceive it. Claim your destiny or be claimed by it, Yue. Prove your worth to the Northern Water Tribe and tell them how it's going to be. It's your life Yue, no one but you can live it and the destiny it encompasses."
"Thanks Zuko," Yue replied with a smile.
"Anytime," replied the firebender as he walked away.
(End Flashback)
'No!' Yue screamed from the depths of her mind. Her eyes snapped open as her arms shot forward with the speed of a Viper Cobra Snake and grabbed a hold of Tui's arm. "This is my life bitch! It's not yours, an extension of yours, or even remotely connected to yours. Now, back off!" Yue said as she glared at the Moon Spirit hard enough to freeze fire. With a yell of rage, Yue slashed her right arm up at Tui; forcing the spirit back several yards with her bloodbending.
If Tui was surprised at Yue's sudden strength, she didn't show it as she said, "You are not worthy to live. You have abandoned your tribe's way of life and its expectations of you for the brief pleasures of two women."
"Who are you to decide if I am worthy of life or not?" Yue questioned. "For sixteen years of my life I did as I was asked. And now, when I decide to live my life for myself; suddenly, I'm not good enough to be alive. If I want to live, I live. If I want to take, I take. And if I want you to die, YOU DIE!" roared Yue as she sent a massive barrage of icicles to the moon spirit.
Reacting quickly, Tui shattered the icicles in midair forcing the once frozen spears of death, to fall harmlessly down into the water. "You didn't honestly think that would work did you?" Tui asked looking back at the princess.
"Actually, it worked perfectly," replied Yue with a smirk.
Tui looked down at herself to see that her tunic had been slashed in several places and a steady stream of blood was pooling around her feet in the water. This time there was a visible reaction from Tui as her eyes widened ever so slightly in shock. Then, just barely, she saw it; a shimmer of light. Looking closer one could just barely make out the hair-thin sheets of ice that hovered around Tui.
Looking back at Yue, Tui said, "You pathetic piece of trash, you doom your people for the sake of your own happiness. You must be stopped."
As Yue listened to Tui speak, her angry faded away. Peacefully, Yue looked at Tui and said, "I have given my life to my tribe. Everything I have done I have done for them. Even being here in Ba Sing Se, is to help end the war for my tribe. It's time my tribe gives me something back and I chose that thing to be who I want as my love in life. Good-bye Tui."
A loud roar of shattering ice filled the area and suddenly the mindscape shattered into nothing; leaving Yue in darkness.
"Now what?" Yue asked aloud as she looked around and saw nothing but the darkness.
"Now, depends on you," a voice growled out from the darkness.
"Who are you?" Yue asked the voice.
"I am your inner rage, the blade that cuts through the night, your peaceful killing," replied the voice. It then asked, "What do you wish of me?"
Yue thought for a moment before replying, "I want to protect my friends and loved ones. I want to be what I need to be to end this war."
"Then say my name and embrace me," the voice roared.
"I embrace you… UNDA!" Yue yelled into the darkness.
A light flashed out and for a quick moment Yue saw a giant Sea Serpent before her. Everything became hazy and once her vision cleared Yue found herself back in her apartment. After a second of looking around, Yue looked down at herself and noticed that she looked completely different from before. Acting quickly, she froze some water to act as a full-length mirror. Looking at the water mirror she took notice of the vast difference in her appearance. First, her clothes were gone. She appeared to be covered in a snow white sheet that acted as her clothing and armor as well as her skin. Second, her hands and feet were gone. She just seemed to be hovering a little above the floor with a thick fog protruding slightly from the bottom of her dress body. Whenever she lifted up the dress to see her legs only more fog was revealed. Yue knew her legs and hands were still there in a sense. She could feel them and whenever she walked or moved her hands she could see movement from the appropriate appendage from under the skirt or sleeves. The most unusual thing about her new appearance was her face. The same whiteness that covered the rest of her body covered her face. She had no mouth and a bump to indicate a nose, but other than that it was like wearing a featureless mask. She now had two large dark blue almond eyes and her hair reached to just past her ass.
"This is my Omni State," Yue said aloud her voice now sounding like a flowing river.
Concentrating hard, Yue changed herself back to normal. Looking once again at the water mirror she saw that her appearance had indeed returned to normal. Her clothes, legs, hands, and face were all normal. However, her hair had stayed the same length.
"Well, that was interesting. I wonder how Zuko and Jin are doing," Yue asked aloud thinking of her friends.
Looking down from the small platform of earth, Jin and Zuko gazed at the sprawling ruins of the Sun Warriors' Ancient City.
"Uncle Iroh said we would need to go to Training Temple," Zuko said aloud as her pointed to a small building off to the side. Jin steered the earth down, so they could begin Zuko's own test with the Masters.
Next Chapter: Trail of Fire
Well, the voting is over. In the end at 12 to 11 the rewrite of Spirits' Creed will not be happening. Unless, someone is able to make a good enough argument for it. With all of the people who voted, I would have thought that a few would have made an argument as to why I should do the rewrite, but none did.
Anyway please leave a review. I like to know what my readers think about my story so far.