Book 4 Air

Chapter 64 Spirit Tales

The view of the hallway was seen as Katara walked down quietly. Her vision focused on the red carpet beneath her shoes.

Turning to her right she then noticed she was near the entrance hall, close by the two large front doors. Looking up, she noticed the detail etched of the designs of golden rims on the wooden doors. Suddenly, she froze. An odd feeling washed over her. Looking at the door more closely she saw a white light shine through the door. Slowly it glowed brighter through the cracks of the door as the waterbender felt a gust of wind seep by. Quickly she opened the doors, pushing all of her weight forward. Once outside, Katara gasped at the swirling ball of air with a single figure inside the orb. Petals of roses and grass fluttered around the spinning ball from the powerful airbending created from the Avatar.

"Aang!" Katara cried out as her hair swayed violently against the surrounding winds. Soon behind her was Iroh as he held the girl back. "Allow him to continue, Miss Katara!" Iroh called out as they both watched Aang's tattooed arrows glow a bright blue.

"Uncle! What happening?" Zuko asked loudly as he stepped out shielding his eyes.

"He is going into the first stage." Iroh said in a whisper as the ball of air dimmed.

Katara's eyes widen as she heard the airbender cried out. His scream was horrid and sounded like he was in pure agony. Falling back to the earth, the boy landed with a big thud as Katara pulled away from Iroh. Rose petals fell around them as the waterbender cried out, "Aang!" Katara said as she ran to the boy's side. She then gasped as the girl saw bruises inflicted all over his arms and around his neck. "W-What happened?!" Katara asked as she held the boy in her arms.

"He had cleared his mind, and opened the first stage to the spirit realm." Iroh said as he narrowed his eyes.

"How many stages are there, uncle?" Zuko asked as he stepped forward.

"Four more…Some call it the gates to hell." Iroh said as he folded his arms.

Katara gasped as she then looked down at the boy as she then caressed the airbender's face. "What now?" Katara asked as Iroh sighed. "Once he awakes, he must continue to the second stage." Iroh said as Katara protested, "No! What if he gets hurt again?" Katara cried out as she pulled the boy closer to her in a protective embrace.

"If he were to stop this process, then he will have no way to enter into the Spirit World. The gates will close shut, and Toph will never be saved." Iroh said in a serious tone.

"Leave the boy here…please return to the palace. I will take care of him." Iroh said as he kneeled down to the airbender.

"Come on, Katara. You heard my uncle." Zuko said as he walked over and helped the distressed girl up.

"Please…" Katara begged unable to finish her plea as Iroh nodded his head. "Don't worry, Miss Katara." Iroh said understanding the girl's concern.

As Zuko and Katara entered into the palace, Iroh placed his hands on the Aang's forehead. "May you feel the energy flow within you, young Avatar." Iroh whispered softly as he closed his eyes.


The view of a fire pit was seen with a blazing fire burning brightly. Cole rested his hand on his chin as he stared into the flames in wonder. Just then a small tap was heard as he lifted his head. Aeron was seen at the doorway, wrapped in her old Fire Nation clothing with her damp hair tied in a ponytail. She said nothing as she walked over next to Cole and reached out her hands towards the warming flames. "Tomorrow is going to be different, isn't it?" Cole said as Aeron narrowed her eyes. "Yes…It will…" Aeron said as Cole wrapped his arm over the girl, pulling her close to him. The two teens remained silent as the loud crack of the fire flickered in the cool breeze outside.

"Are you afraid?" Aeron asked as Cole rested his head on her forehead, "Yes." Cole answered lightly as Aeron caressed his hand.

"Me too..." Aeron said softly as she closed her eyes. The view of the small house came into sight as birds flew over head, chripping lightly.


Opening her eyes slowly, Azula lifted her head. She found herself lying on the ground with her arms folded under her hair. She sighed as she sat up, looking around the room. Lowering her head back down, Azula whimpered out. She missed the company that the spirit offered her when she was lonely. She longed for any form of physically contact as she hugged herself. She felt cold…almost unbearably cold as her teeth started to chatter. She then pulled out her right hand and swayed her wrist to the side. A trail of smoke rose above her open palm. Then a flicker of light cupped over her hand into a small orange flame dimmed lightly only to fade away. Azula sighed. She couldn't fire bend like she used too. Her once powerful flare at her command from her fingertips was now gone…

Tears formed at the corners of her eyes as she sobbed quietly as she buried her face into her hands.


"Here…" Zuko said as he handed Katara a cup of warm tea. The waterbender nodded her head as she took the small cup. Drinking the green tea slowly, Katara pulled it away then heaved a sigh. "He'll be alright…" Zuko said with reassurance as Katara looked up at the Fire Lord.

"I hope you're right…" Katara said still worried as she took another sip.

Zuko lowered his head as he poured himself a cup of tea then rested his hands on his lap. This must have been heart-breaking for Katara to see Aang in such pain. But he had to go through this in order to save Toph and bring order to the world.

"Zuko…" Katara said as the young man lifted his head, "Yes?" Zuko asked.

"I've read some interesting stories in the library today…and I came across something I couldn't quite understand." Katara said wanting to change the subject as Zuko tilted his head, "What is it?" Zuko asked in a curious tone.

"What…What does half blood mean?" Katara asked as Zuko blinked.

"Hmm…From what I've read in the past, it simply means tainted blood or rather mixed blood from two different people." Zuko said as Katara parted her lips. "What about with spirits?" Katara asked as Zuko rubbed his chin, "Hmm…I suppose it counts if a spirit was romantically involved with a mortal. But then again, I do not know. Why do you ask?" Zuko asked.

"Hm, I read the series of Agni, today. It was quite interesting really. I also want to understand what the Golden Dragon Dance means…What you celebrate…?" Katara asked as Zuko blinked for a moment.

Honestly, even he wasn't sure of the royal traditions. Since dancing was forbidden for so many years, it was only when he became Fire Lord that the customs became important again.

Thinking of the right words to say, and give Katara a clear answer Zuko thought quietly.

"I think it falls along the lines of Agni's wife and her betrayal. Their love was forbidden, and the Golden Dragon wanted the woman for himself. The dance mainly is about the battle between Agni and the dragon. How they fought for the woman's love. Before the finally hit was struck, the woman jumped into the battle. Saving the man she loved, she was killed in the process. Out of hurt and rage, Agni dragged the dragon into the depths of the volcano with himself, forever burning inside the core of the earth. Mourning for his lover." Zuko said as he then looked up at Katara. He gasped as he saw tears form in her eyes, "How terrible!" Katara cried out as Zuko stood up, "Please, don't cry!" Zuko exclaimed as he walked over to the girl.

"It was only in legend…It's not like it really happened." Zuko said trying to calm the girl down.

"She must have truly loved him…" Katara said in a soft whisper as Zuko lowered his head. "Yea…"

"There is a similar story in my tribe…Only with different spirits and names." Katara said as Zuko became interested. "Tell me…" Zuko said as he took his chair and moved it closer to the girl.

"The great polar bear spirit Nanuq was the guardian of the ice and hunter of the seas. He would talk to the raven spirit who visited him every day. The raven spirit was known to call forth the polar auroras, which was the link to the heavens. Spirits would sail across the skies, dancing for guardian to please him and insure their lands are well protected. One day, the raven teased Nanuq, saying he was too big and scary to find a mate. Any female would run from his presence, too afraid or timid to face him." Katara said with a small laugh as Zuko smiled.

Katara's smile then faded as she continued the story, "Nanuq almost gave up hope until one evening he saw the most beautiful creature he's ever seen. It was a whale spirit, swimming in the colorful auroras. He was impressed of her dance, and called out to her. She in return thanked the guardian for protecting the lands and seas. Before Nanuq had a chance to talk to her, she vanished into the stars.

After many nights have passed, Nanuq met the whale spirit again. They talked 'til the sun rose up and soon became close friends. The two spirits then fell in love with one another, even though they couldn't be together." Katara said as she then placed her fingers on the outside of her tea cup, tracing her digits over the smooth surface.

"There is a lullaby in memory of their love…" Katara said as Zuko spoke out, "I'd like to hear it." Zuko said fully interested in her story.

Katara giggled as she then tried to remember the words, "My mother used to sing it to me…Hmm…Ah, I remember now." Katara said as she then cleared her throat then parted her lips.

"If you be my star…I'll be your sky, you can hide underneath me and come out at night. When I turn jet black and you show off your light, I live to let you shine…But you can skyrocket away from me…and never come back if you find another galaxy. Far from here with more room to fly, just leave me your stardust to remember you by…" Zuko closed his eyes letting the sweet song fill his ears as it tugged at his heart.

Katara sang in a soft harmonious voice as she continued the lullaby, "If you be my boat, I'll be your sea…A depth of pure blue just to probe curiosity, ebbing and flowing and pushed by a breeze…I live to make you free…But you can set sail to the west if you want to
and past the horizon till I can't even see you…Far from here where the beaches are wide,
just leave me your wake to remember you by…" Katara sang gently as she finished the last word in a sad tone.

"That was beautiful…" Zuko said as he opened his eyes. Katara smiled warmly, "Yea…" Katara said softly as she lowered her head.


Katara's lullaby is from a real song called, Boats and Birds by Gregory and the Hawk. I hope you liked it…I know I seem to be going either real fast or very slow, I just trying to build up some drama for our characters. More next chapter on Aang's training, Cole and Aeron, and our favorite Zutara! Please review!!!!!!