Book 4 Air

Chapter 65 Kagi Shrine

The view of four basic structures built with curved rails that sat on top of a secondary upper bar was seen from the red vermillion gates. The sight of an old man carrying an unconscious boy in his arms came into view. As Iroh walked through the torii gates and up to the shrine, he bent down and placed Aang on the sacred grounds. "Awaken, Avatar Aang…" Iroh said in a slow firm voice as Aang stirred slightly. Opening his eyes, Aang sat up then looked around. "W-Where, where am I" the boy asked as Iroh narrowed his eyes.

"The Kagi Shrine, the holiest place in the Fire Nation." Iroh said as he closed his eyes.

Aang straighten his back further up as he looked at the structures behind Iroh. His eyes focused on the different types of wood within the torii's. "Are those Fire Nation gates?" Aang asked as Iroh turned his head to the side then back down to the boy, "Only one is native to the Fire Nation." Iroh said as Aang blinked. "Then what are the others." Aang asked as Iroh replied in a low tone.

"Each wood timber was sent here from the other nations. One plank from the Southern Air Nomad Temple, another was from the Earth Kingdom and then the last plank from the foggy swamp of the waterbenders ." Iroh said as Aang's eyes widen.

"They were offerings to the Fire Nation long ago, before the war started. Avatar Roku himself ordered that the torii's be built in this location." Iroh said as Aang nodded his head in understanding.

"This is where you will enter into the Spirit World. You must open the gates in front of you." Iroh said as he stepped behind the airbender.

"Position into your stance and remember, no matter how much pain you endure. You can not stop until each gate is opened." Iroh said in a serious tone as Aang gulped.

"How will I know they will open?" Aang asked as he heard no reply. Turning around, Aang noticed that the old general was gone. Sighing to himself, Aang then bent his knees and sat in the lotus stance. Closing his eyes, Aang tried to focus on the energy around him as the soft sound of birds were heard chirping in the distance lightly.


Drinking the last of her tea, Katara sighed deeply. Zuko had to leave due to another mention of Azula's condition. The waterbender drifted her eyes to the side as she wondered quietly.

"Hey sis…Are you okay?" Sokka asked as he walked into the dining room seeing his sister showing signs of being depressed.

"It's just so hard, Sokka…Everything that has happened." Katara said as she looked away.

"Yea…It is pretty messed up." Sokka said in a low voice unsure what to say.

"So, how has it been, staying here in the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked as Katara tensed then sighed out.

'Amazing…'

"Different…" Katara said, ignoring her thoughts.

"Hmm…It's been getting a little old for me." Sokka said as he tapped his fingers on the table.

"Too much red…Too many spicy foods…Same old boring tales." Sokka said as he sighed.

"Do you know how many stories these people talk about?" Sokka whined out as Katara giggled.

The waterbender didn't mind Sokka's outburst about the Fire Nation. Honestly just two years ago it was no different from their own home. How he always complained about all of the ice, the meat too plain, and the same old stories Gran-Gran would tell them at during story time.

Maybe that's why the waterbender feels so comfortable in the Fire Nation …It reminds her of her homeland.

Just then a servant walked in then bowed at the two teens, "My pardons, Fire Lord Zuko wishes to see you both." The servant said as she bowed deeper.

Katara and her brother stood up then looked at one another.


Sitting on top of the steps in front of the sacred gates, Aang continued to focus his aura. Then he felt something odd, like he was being pulled forward somehow. Slowly opening his eyes, Aang looked down. He wasn't moving yet somehow he felt like his body was being pulled. "What-What's happening?" Aang cried out as he felt his limbs and ribcage being sucked forward.

Then he heard a familiar voice, one he hadn't heard in a long time…

'Air is the element of freedom; it is both graceful yet powerful. Remember that the wind's force is limitless. A force that could sway a blade of grass or tear apart the roots of a great pine.'

'Monk Gyatso once said that…Is he trying to tell me something?' Aang thought as he then felt his body pulled more violently.

Before the airbender could blink, Aang felt his body lift off the stone ground and fly pass the first gate. Visions of a misty mountain came into view with pine trees planted along the rocky terrain. Aang then the feeling of spikes was felt, shooting through his body as it caught him by surprise. The airbender cried out in pain as the tiny pine-like spikes were piercing through his arms, legs, torso and the side of his neck. The sound of a storm deafened his hearing as a raging whirlwind consumed him entirely.

Suddenly Aang dropped to the ground with a large thud as he moaned out. Lifting his head Aang gasped as he touched his body. Not sensing any bleeding, Aang looked down to see red marks scattered over his body like a disease. He could have sworn the pines went through him…Lifting his head up; Aang looked in front of him. He was in front of the second gate…

'How did I get here?' the airbender thought

Turning his head behind him, Aang saw the first gate with a confused expression over his face.

"You have passed through the Kaze Gate, from the Air lands. The first doorway to the Spirit World." A voice said answering the boy's thoughts as Aang looked up the steps. Iroh was seen staring down at him with a serious appearance.

"The next gate is the Honoo Gate, from the Fire territories…" Iroh said as Aang gulped looking back at the tall gate in front of him.

"Prepare yourself, young Avatar. Remember what my nephew has trained you as a pupil." Iroh said as Aang took a deep breathe.

'Concentrate on your breathing, don't be afraid of the flame, remember…no matter how careful you are, you always likely to get burned.'

Aang remembered Zuko's words from the past when the fire prince trained him at the Western Air Temple. He had to do it in order to pass the second gate. He had to conquer his fears.

Aang sat back down in his current position, shutting his eyes tightly. His aura flowed over his body, twisting and turning with growing fear. Heat rose from the ground underneath him.

Beads of sweat dotted over his forehead as he opened his eyes. Crying out, he saw a massive wall of fire rolling towards him. Then Aang's eyes widen, as he felt the flame brush beside his arms and legs like a dragon's scaly tail. Rash like marks trailed over his flesh as it burned like a hot whip lashed along his body. Aang screamed 'til his throat went sore as tears fell down his face.

The fire was so hot, Aang was sure his body would melt and burn to a crisp. Then a sudden gust blew out the flames as the boy collapsed to the ground. Gripping his arms, Aang cried out a loud groan as he pushed himself up. Lifting his head with difficulty, Aang saw the next gate in front of him.

"Position your stance, young Avatar." Iroh said in a firm voice as Aang shut his eyes.

The pain was too much; he didn't want to deal with it any longer. "I-I can't…" Aang said in a low cry as Iroh spoke out, "Continue your stance!" Iroh ordered as Aang whimpered as he sat down and tried to focus.

Visible signs of second and third degree burns were seen on his arms and legs as he closed his eyes tightly.

'Focus….the next gate…its earth.' Aang thought as he trembled.

The hard earth that could easily bruise his skin, and tear his muscles roughly, Aang grinded his teeth at the thought.

'Do you think you have what it takes to bend like an earthbender?'

Aang widen his eyes as the voice rang in his head…

'You got to go head first and tackle that rock like an earthbender! Form into your stance and face that boulder!'

Aang slowly closed his eyes formed into the lotus position once more. Inhaling a deep breath through his nose, Aang tensed as he suddenly felt the nearby pebbles rise up off the ground as a strange magnetic pull shifted his robes up, swaying in the unfelt winds.

Aang opened his eyes as he then gasped out. Pointed tipped rocks rose up from the earth under him, slicing his wrist and arm. Barely missing his stomach and chest, another formation of earth then clamped the airbender's ankles as he fell onto his palms. Lifting up to his knees, Aang gasped as he saw a huge rock flying towards him. The airbender cried out as the force pushed against his torso head on. He coughed out as blood spattered on the corner of his mouth.

Falling forward, Aang landed face first on the ground. His eyes gazed at the pebbles near his nose as he then pushed himself back up. Light on his feet, Aang wobbled to the side as he tried to find his ground.

"You have passed through the Chikyuu Gate, from the Earthen Lands. Next you will pass the final gate of the swamp waterbenders, the Mizu Gate of the Water Territories." Iroh said as Aang narrowed his eyes tiredly.

'Good…one last gate…' Aang thought as he closed his eyes falling to his knees.

"Form into the stance, young avatar!" Iroh called out, reminding the tired boy.

Aang cried out in pain as he folded his bruised knees and ankles into the complicated position.

'You can let it flow with you as a defense becoming your offense, turning your opponents own forces against them.'

Aang closed his eyes as he let the waterbender's words sink into his mind. The sudden sound of splashing water flooded the boy's ears as he then struggled to breathe. Opening his eyes he realized he was in a huge pool of water. Its dark depths blinding him from any where to go. Aang scream out as bubbles surrounded him. The liquid was freezing as his toes and fingers became numb. Kicking and trying to surface, the boy became frantic as his lungs felt like a huge force was crushing him. Aang's eyes became heavily as he slowly sank into the endless darkness. Falling into an empty place, Aang felt a cold rush of air as he fell on the floor. Dirt sticked to his skin and clothes as the boy shivered uncontrollably. Droplets of water fell from his face and body as he tried to remember where he was.

"Stand up, young Avatar. You have unlocked all of the gates; you must now rest for a few hours and regain your strength while the gate remains opened." Iroh said as Aang's eyes widen.

Sitting up Aang looked at the old man behind him as he felt a soft cloth wrap around his shoulders.

"Yes…" Aang said softly as he then coughed violently as he clinged to the blanket.

"Here, drink this…" Iroh said as Aang quickly grabbed the cup and drank the hot tea. The liquid warmed his sore stomach and soothed his throat.

"I placed some special herbs in the tea; it should help numb your physical pain. Until then you must not move from this spot. I will accompany you 'til you are ready to enter." Iroh said as he sat next to the airbender.

"Thank you…" Aang said hoarsely as he wrapped the blanket up to his chin.


Walking down the hallway to the Fire Lord's study, Katara and Sokka entered into Zuko's office.

"Did you want to see us, Zuko?" Katara asked as she noticed the Fire Lord staring out the window.

"Yes…" Zuko replied in a low voice as he held his hands behind his back.

"There has been a report about Azula…Turns out she might be an accomplice to someone or rather something." Zuko said as Katara and Sokka tensed, "Who?" Sokka asked as Zuko turned his head.

"An evil spirit…" Zuko said as the other teens looked at the lord with confusion.

"What do you mean? You mean to say that she was not behind all of the crimes she's committed?" Katara asked as Zuko narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not sure…The report states that Mai has witnessed this from my sister. But we are unsure if she is telling the truth or she is simply delusional like Azula." Zuko said as Sokka spoke out.

"If only we had Toph…She would know." Sokka said as Katara stepped forward.

"What should we do?" Katara asked as she clenched her heart.

Zuko turned completely as he sighed, "I do not know…From what I've heard Aang has begun training. It would be unnecessary to notify him this information now. I think it would be best to hold up until Aang finds Toph and returns. We can then watch for any signs in both Azula and Mai's condition and process until then." Zuko said in a serious tone as Katara and Sokka both agreed.

Katara then sighed as she looked out the window noticing the falling leaves from a maple tree.

'I hope he finds her…' Katara thought as she closed her eyes with worry.


Inspired from Fushimi-Inari Shrine. The shrine that is famous for the countless torii gates, offerings by worshippers that cover the hiking trails of Inari-San, the wooded mountain behind the shrine's main buildings. Originally the god of rice, Inari now governs the modern equivalent: success and prosperity in business.

For my shrine I based it on life and immortality. Each torii was donated to the Fire Nation shrine in honor of both peace among the nations and good luck. This of course wasn't mention in the series, but I think it would sound reasonable. The shrines were given to the Fire Nation during Roku's era.

I know I focused mainly on Aang, but don't worry you'll get some Zutara and Aeron/Cole next chapter!

Also the Japanese and Chinese names I've used for this chapter are stated below:

Kagi-Fire

Honoo-Fire or Flame

Kaze-Wind

Chikyuu- Earth or Soil

Mizu- Water