Book 4 Air

Chapter 63 Open Minded

Running her hands over the invisible form next to her, Azula found comfort with the spirit's presence as she rested her head on its long coiled body. "It there such a place as Hell…?" Azula asked out of the blue as the dark figure turned its head unseen by the princess's eyes.

"Yes…" the voice said as its roach like legs moved slightly, making room in the small cell around them.

"What's it like?" Azula asked in a soft tone as her fingertips caressed the spirit.

The ancient spirit was speechless for the first time, in a long time. Why would a human ask such a question? Does she seek death or like most humans, is she just curious?

"There are five stages of Hell…I doubt you would want to know them." The voice said as Azula lifted her head. Her black locks of hair swayed to the side lightly as she tilted her head.

"Is it like the frozen waste lands I've heard in the testament of Agni?" Azula asked curiously.

"It is whatever you fear most…There is no other way to describe it." The voice said in a low tone answering the girl.

"Hmm…Then Hell wouldn't be so bad…I already live in it." Azula said as she rested her head back on the spirit's body.

The face of the spirit changed quickly into a form of a sad old man, looking down at the girl.

Slowly, the spirit pulled away from the now sleeping girl. His long body encircled her small form. "Such a pathetic child…" the spirit said with pity as he stepped into the shadows of the dark corners of the wall, disappearing from the room.


Sitting at the head of the meeting table, Zuko remained clam and collected as he reviewed the reports. Two generals, General Sho and Jee patiently waited for their lord to speak as they sat on opposite ends.

Zuko placed the papers down, and sighed. This wasn't good. News of Azula's condition has gotten worse, along with growing hallucinations. Though much to Zuko's surprise, no known file mentioned Mai's mental health expected that she was tested and passed with flying colors. This troubled Zuko.

Mai was an excellent manipulator and skilled from not showing her true intentions. He better have the men pay extra attention to her behavior and document her moves.

"General Sho, please inform the guards to watch Mai and record any new development." Zuko said as General Jee spoke out. "And what about your sister, Sire?" Jee asked as Zuko narrowed his eyes.

"I'm afraid there is little hope for her to recover…Please, allow her to remain comfortable yet heavily guarded." Zuko said as he rose from his seat. "This meeting is dismissed. General Sho, General Jee, thank you for your time." Zuko said in a regal tone as he left the meeting room.

The two generals bowed to their lord as he left the room. Zuko entered into the gallery where the royal paintings of the previous Fire Lords hung in golden scrolls covering the walls down the hallway. He looked up at the painting of Fire Lord Wu Shin. The tall man etched in gold with his hands lay out in a royal stance. Gazing at the painting, Zuko then noticed something strange in the image, a rare barely visible color that glided over his fingertips and tied around his right wrist, a blue transparent veil dangling from his hands. Zuko thought for a moment, the cloth on the right hand usually symbolized marriage and love. Like a ring proposal in the Earth Kingdom or a brothel necklace in the Water Tribe. A single thread of cloth tied over the wrist meant a holy tie between a man and woman. Why was the cloth blue? Such colors were once forbidden in the nation of Fire, years ago. Wu Shin's wife…From what he remembered in school she was hardly ever mentioned in the textbooks since she did pass away after child birth, any further record of her was gone when the lord remarried.

Zuko wondered to himself what it meant, deciding to leave. Zuko went down the hall deep in thought.


Standing in the open courtyard surrounded by a lush garden and white title floors, Aang inhaled the cool breeze. The green grass swayed in the chilling winds as a figure stepped behind the airbender. "In such times, it is best to think with an open mind." The old man said as he stared out as the rolling clouds. Aang narrowed his eyes, "What...What if I can't save her?" Aang said firmly as Iroh stepped next to him.

"You will…young Avatar." Iroh said as he stepped forward ahead of Aang into the center of the courtyard where a title design of a lotus was seen underneath his feet. "I am sure as a monk you understand the importance of meditating." Iroh said as Aang nodded his head.

"Then meditate here, in the center of the garden. Once the sun touches the Northern tower, I will return." Iroh said as he started to walk away. Aang took a pace forward, his foot stepping onto the center of the flower. Slightly confused he turned around, "How will this help with my training?" Aang asked as Iroh paused, "Meditate, young avatar." Iroh said firmly as he entered through the second gates leaving the young boy alone.

Aang sighed as he sat down in a lotus position and humming a light noise in his throat as his eyes closed and he focused quietly.


"In ancient times, the great God Agni once journeyed to the forest of Su. He heard of a beautiful hime that was living in the wood.

Pushing through the bush, he soon found her washing by a stream. She was the daughter of Lada, Goddess of love and Sau, the God of longevity. Her beauty astonished Agni as he slowly approached her. Memorized by her long black hair and white skin with small ruby red lips, Agni bowed to the hime as she covered her bare breasts. "I am Agni, Son of God Kuan Ti and Goddess Oya. I am pleased to meet you…" Agni said as he lifted his head.

"Your father is known for war while your mother lightens the skies with her fingertips. Their son, Agni? Yes, I have heard of you. I must say, I have never pictured the prince of Fire to appear so…Dark, almost intriguing in my presence. Tell me, why do you look at me so bemusedly?" The hime said as she covered her lips, hiding her amused smile as she wrapped her self with a white kimono.

"Heh…Forgive me, I couldn't help but stare. Your beauty is so exquisite…" Agni said in a low voice as he smiled mischievously.

"Miss Katara…How are you this morning?" a voice said as Katara quickly rolled up the scroll. "Oh! Iroh…Good morning." Katara said as she blushed. Why does she always get caught when reading a good story?

"Heh, it looks like you've found the series of Agni." Iroh said as he rubbed his beard with interest.

"Oh, it's a series? I thought it was the testament." Katara said as she looked back down at the scroll.

"No, no…That is simply small tales of the Fire God…The testament lies in the Dragon Catacombs. Of course, feel free to continue the story you have. You may find out more why we celebrate the Golden Dragon Dance." Iroh said with a smirk as he then left the library. Katara then smiled to herself.

She was quite interested to know more about the Fire God and Fire Nation culture. It was somehow eerily similar to her people's tall tales of the Polar spirit. Stories of the Gods and how they created the earth; Katara wondered how Agni played a part in creating life to the Fire Nation. It was fascinating to her…

Sitting back down on the chair, Katara opened the scroll and continued to read the story.

Days have passed since Agni saw the beautiful hime by the stream. He couldn't forget her lovely face and melodic voice. He had to see her again.

Leaving his domain from the active volcano aside the forest above, Agni traveled on an ash cloud forming under his feet. The smoke trailed behind him as he hovered over the evergreens. Landing over the shoreline, Agni sighed. He couldn't find her…

"Son of Fire…Hmm, we meet again." A voice said sweetly as Agni turned to the hime. The sound of crashing waves was heard along the sandy beach, as Agni narrowed his eyes.

"Princess." Agni said in surprise as the hime walked up to him. Her long hair flowing in the breeze as her dress tucked on her body. A slender hand cupped the God's cheek as he looked at her quietly.

"You are a God…I am a half blood. We weren't meant to be…I cannot become a Goddess." The woman said softly as Agni reached out to the woman. His lion like paws gently rested on the hime's shoulders.

"I don't care." Agni said as he leaned in kissing the woman.

Katara blushed as she read the romantic scene, her eyes glistened. 'She was only half blood? What could that mean?' Katara wondered as she finished the last page.

Brushing her hair over her shoulder, Katara placed the scroll down as she left the room.

'The Golden Dragon Dance…Was in celebration for the God of Fire. Yet, then why celebrate his downfall? He lost the woman he loved to the dragon didn't he?' Katara thought as she heard only one side to the story.

Walking further down the hall, the waterbender continued to wonder as she entered near the opened antechamber. 'I wonder if Zuko knows the story…' Katara thought as she wanted to the find the Fire Lord.


For the name of the Gods and Goddess's I used random names from mainly Roman, Greek and Chinese.

As mention, Lada is the Goddess of love and Sau is the God of longevity. For Agni's parents are God Kuan Ti and Goddess Oya. Kuan is known for the God of War, while Oya is known as the Goddess of lightening or some form of fire from her hands. Thus I think the powerful parents are suitable for the legendary Agni.

I hope you enjoyed it so far! Also I understandit looks like the story might be going off topic here, but there is a point to this…Kind of like foreshadowing for the Dance and our favorite pairings.

Anyways!

Please review!!!!!