Here is the third chapter everyone. I'm so glad people are subscribing to the story, and I hope the story alert subscriptions keep coming. Feel free to send me a private message or anything and I'd be more than happy to reply, any ideas that you have or anything you want to share, I'm all ears. Enjoy!
After a day of sailing, the boat finally docked at the North Pole. Korra could not contain her excitement; she was bouncing up and down waiting for the ramp of the boat to come down. She looked to her right to see Tahno, mysteriously expressionless, as if he was not excited to be home. She then turned to Katara on her left, who was slightly smiling.
The ramp opened, and Korra bolted down it, Naga right next to her. Tahno and Katara lazily walked of the ship. Everything was so vast. Korra gazed at the vastness of the Northern Water Tribe. There were tall buildings made out of snow; towers and homes with intricate Water Tribe insignia's adorning the walls of the city.
There was so much for her to take in. The snow of the Water Tribe glistened in the reflecting sunlight; Korra had never seen anything so beautiful. Tahno finally caught up to her, "What do you think Korra?"
"It's fantastic here Tahno!" she exclaimed, "I've never seen anything so beautiful. This place is nothing like the Southern Water Tribe." Katara wrapped an arm around the young Avatar's shoulder.
"I remember being this fascinated when I first came here too," Katara said, "It's gotten much bigger since I was last here."
"When was that Katara?" Korra asked inquisitively.
"Oh years and years ago, when Aang and I were young," Katara replied. Korra's eyes illuminated with wonder. She spun in circles faster and faster hoping to take in the scenery in its entirety. Korra became too dizzy, and she collapsed on her back in the snow. She stared up in the crystal cloudless sky; she had a sense of belonging there that she couldn't explain. It feels right to be here, she thought, like I was supposed to come here.
Tahno reached his hand forward helping Korra up. "Let me show you around," he said calmly, pulling her off the ground.
Korra turned to Katara and asked her, "Is it okay if he shows me around?"
Katara nodded and replied, "You go ahead. I have something I need to do here. I'll find you later in the evening. Go ahead kids." Korra smiled at her master and tightly hugged her. Then Tahno had pulled her down the crowded streets of the North Pole for a day of adventure.
Tahno and Korra walked around downtown first, where there were plenty of shops and even more people walking around. Korra saw kids having a waterbending snowball fight. Her inner child wanted to go play with them; her childhood was mainly Avatar training and very little playtime. Yet, Tahno kept walking forward, and Korra had to stay with him.
Hours passed and the sun began to set on the horizon. The two teens had spent the entire day walking through the streets of the North Pole, and Korra could still not fathom how impressive the rest of the city was.
Walking through, Korra saw a large part of the city that was heavily damaged. She tapped Tahno on the shoulder, indicating to stop walking for a moment. "Tahno why do you think that area is so damaged?" Korra asked while pointing in the peculiarity in the city.
A look of confusion struck upon Tahno, "I don't know, but I'm surprised they haven't fixed it. People could just waterbend the buildings back to its shape."
"Hmm…" Korra turned away from the debris, and her and Tahno kept walking throughout the city.
They finally walked through what Korra assumed to be a residential area. "Where are we going Tahno?" she asked him.
He turned and smiled at her, "We're going to meet my parents."
"Shouldn't we find Katara first?"
"We'll find her later tonight, don't worry." The two walked into a four floored building. They walked up a few flights of stairs to see four doors in a small hallway. They walked down the hall and Tahno knocked on the last door on the right. They waited patiently for someone to answer the door.
Korra glanced over to see Tahno standing at attention. His body was tense, lips were sealed together, and hands glued to his thighs. Korra gently placed a hand on his shoulder and asked, "Tahno, why are you so nervous?"
He didn't turn his head; he stood still facing the door. "My father is somewhat strict, you'll see," he replied. Korra shrugged her shoulders and turned towards the door. A couple of beats pass of silence. Korra could sense Tahno holding his breath. Crack. The door opens and a man opened the door.
He had pale skin just like Tahno, but wore a deep blue, heavy parka just like Korra. The two men stared at one another for a few seconds. Korra saw sweat dripping down the side of Tahno's face. The silence finally ended. "Welcome home Tahno," the man said opening his arms to embrace his son.
Tahno's body relaxed and he hugged his father. "Dad, this is Korra, the Avatar," Tahno said, extending his arm towards Korra.
Korra bowed in respect, "Very pleased to meet you sir…"
"Please, call me Zhang. It's more than an honor to have the Avatar in our household. Please come in," Tahno's father replied. He opened the door widely and the two teenagers walked into their home.
The home was quaint. The main room was the largest, as far as Korra could tell. The walls were similar to those back in the Southern Water Tribe. The decorations on the walls were animal pelts or warrior shields, yet there were items that Korra couldn't identify. There were pieces of metal adorning some parts of the wall, and she saw a pair of swords hanging right over the doorway.
A woman with a complexion similar to Korra's walked in from another room. "Tahno! It's so good to see you son," she exclaimed while embracing him in an endearing hug. She turned towards Korra extended a hand out, "Hello, I'm Tahno's mother Kaya."
Korra shook her hand and introduced herself, "I'm Korra. Thank you for having me in your house. It's really nice here!"
"It's no problem at all Korra, people are always welcome in our home," Kaya replied, "I hope you're joining us for dinner."
Korra nodded excitedly, "I haven't had Water Tribe food in the longest of time! I'd love to!" Tahno's parents led her to the dining area, where they all sat at a low table. There were bowls set in front of each person, and Kaya had brought a large bowl of tentacle soup and another platter of pickled fish.
The food was so aromatic. The second the scent of the authentic cuisine hit Korra's olfactory sense, her eyes fluttered with delight. She waited for all of Tahno's family to sit down before enjoying the bountiful feast before her. Korra, a soft voice called. Korra turned her head in confusion. She looked at Tahno and asked him, "Did you say my name?" Tahno shook his head.
Korra shrugged her shoulders. The voice must've been her imagination. Everyone sat down, and Korra was served delicious food. She thoroughly analyzed Tahno's parents. She couldn't tell where his father was from. "Excuse me Zhang, don't take this the wrong way or anything, but where are you from?" Korra asked.
Zhang chuckled and thoughtfully answered the curious Avatar. "I was born in the Fire Nation. I used to be in the army, but I retired ten years ago, when Tahno was quite young."
Tahno looked down into his plate, contributing nothing to the conversation. Korra could tell there was tension between Tahno and his father for some reason. "How did you two meet?" Korra asked.
Kaya giggled, "It's a funny story. I was studying at the University of Ba Sing Se, and I was on an archaeology dig with one of my classes. The dig was close to one of the Earth Kingdom colonies, and there were Fire Nation troops helping the colonies during the Harmony Restoration Movement. It just so happens that Zhang was getting water from a well and he clumsily fell in. I was looking in the direction of the well at that split second, and saw him fall in. I ran over as fast as I could, and I waterbended him out of the well. It was love at first sight, if I do say so myself." Kaya blushed while looking at her husband. She placed a hand on his knee, and he placed his hand on hers.
"I was a non-bender in the infantry unit of the army," Zhang had started to say, "I was an expert swordsman, and those two swords of the doorway were the first ones I trained with."
They all enjoyed dinner and after an hour or so, Korra was hit with this strange sensation that she needed to leave; like a natural unexplainable instinct. She stood up from the table, bowed and thanked her hosts, "Thank you for the wonderful dinner, but I have to go meet someone somewhere. Tahno I'll see you tomorrow, you should spend time with your family."
Tahno nodded firmly, and Korra walked out of the apartment. She was completely unfamiliar with the streets and alleyways of the city, but her feet were walking on their own accord. Nightfall had fallen upon the North Pole and the skies were a dark blue speckled with bright stars. Korra looked up at the moon. It was so big and bright, and almost full. She smiled at the moon, and she felt as if the moon was smiling back at her.
Korra hiked up a long road until she reached the highest point of city. It was adjacent to the palace. She looked out to the ocean and noticed the ebb and flow of the water. It was peaceful. Korra, a voice whispered once again. Korra turned her head alarmed. She scanned the area trying to figure out where the voice was coming from, but Korra had no clue. She kept walking.
She found herself in a small little paradise. There was a large patch of grass, a small bridge, and a little pond. She strolled over to the pond and saw two fish swimming in a constant circle. She sat by the edge of the pond and let the silence take over. "I see you found your way to the Spirit Oasis," a female voice said.
Korra turned her head to see Katara walking over. "Master Katara!" Korra cheered, standing up to hug her mentor. "I just felt a strange urge to come here, I have no idea how I did it, but I'm just…here," Korra continued.
"It's okay Korra," Katara assured, "this is the first part of the lesson I have in store for you. It will be tough, but I'm sure you'll be able to grasp all I have to teach you."
Korra nodded and smiled at Katara. She sat back down by the edge of the pond, and steadily watched the two fish swim in a constant circle.
Katara placed a hand on Korra's should and said, "These are the spirits Tui and La; the moon and ocean spirit. They are a waterbender's greatest ally."
They circled round and round and Korra's followed them with her eyes. It was mesmerizing and beautiful; her first contact with a spirit in a place so magical.
Chapter 4 is on the way and I hope this chapter was enjoyable. This story will only get more exciting so stay tuned and review. - Fire Bender =)