Sorry it took this long but here it is. It is a very good chapter I think and has some good moments. Enjoy :D

Chapter 20

A Solstice Birthday

I woke up on my birthday with excitement. Today was a very special day; I was now fourteen, my coming of age. Today was also the Winter Solstice and Koluk's fourteenth birthday; there would be a festival in the city. I got dressed quickly and went downstairs.

Hiko was sitting at the table, eating breakfast with Wei. "Ah, there he is," Wei said. "Happy fourteenth birthday, Hyriu."

"Thank you, Wei," I said gladly.

"Happy birthday, Hyriu," Hiko said with a mouthful of noodles.

I laughed, "Thanks, Hiko."

"Here are your presents," Wei said and motioned to the table where there was a stack of items. I sat down and picked up a scroll with a ribbon tied around it.

"That one's from me," Hiko said happily.

I untied the ribbon and opened the scroll. It was a detailed map of the world. It had locations of all the major cities in all four nations, names of all the mountain ranges, and lakes and rivers. I saw that other places were freshly inked in on the map, like the Shui Temple and the village where Shan and Master Lee lived. The way the map was colored showed forests and deserts, not the usual map that showed the four nations.

"Hiko, this is amazing. How did you get this?" I asked.

"I told dad about it when we were at the Gambing Palace, and after the banquet, he went and found a map. Then, he inked in all the places I told him," Hiko explained. Hiko called Wei dad because he never new our real parents. For him it has always just been Wei.

"Wow, that is cool. Now, I'll have to get you something good for you birthday next year. Was that your plan all along?" I asked with a smile.

He laughed. I moved on to the other presents. There was a long package that I opened next. It was a bow made of dark pinewood, and it was strong and light. It had a quiver and arrows, which were also made of the dark pinewood.

"Wei, this is incredible!" I said as I pulled back the bow, testing it out.

"Well, you have also expressed an interest in archery," he said simply.

I put the bow in the quiver and saw it could fit reasonably well, even with all the arrows. The chest was the last thing on the table.

"Hyriu, when I found you and your brother in your ruined house in the Lok Wa Isles, you and Hiko were tucked in a corner along with a chest made of drift wood. This is that chest. Your mother and father had family possessions stowed in here the day of the attack; I added a few items my self. Open it," Wei said, his voice full of emotion.

With shaking hands, I pulled the chest to me. I remembered it. I remember my mom putting things in the chest just before…before she… No, it was too painful to think about what happened after that. I opened the chest. There were several items inside. I pulled out a painting that had a small scorch mark in one corner. I felt a lump form in my throat. It was a painting of our family. My mom was holding a baby Hiko in her arms. My dad had his right arm around her and his left on my shoulder. I was only four years old in the painting, but I was almost five since Hiko was born a month and a half before my birthday. I set the picture down with watery eyes. I pulled out a knife made from a dolphin-shark's tooth.

"That was your father's knife. It was his secondary weapon," Wei told me.

The knife had a sheath to go with it. I saw a wooden toy of a koi fish. It had been mine, then Hiko's. I then saw something shining from the bottom of the chest. I picked it up. It was a golden jar with large emeralds on it. There were other smaller gems on it as well such as rubies and sapphires.

I looked at Wei, "Is this what I think it is?"

"Yes, the sacred jar the spirits gave Avatar Roku. The same jar that contained them for so many years, before they went into you," he said.

It felt familiar, yet also alien in my hands. It felt like an old relic in a museum that should never be touched. I set the jar down and lifted up the last thing in the chest. At first, I didn't know what it was. It was white, rectangular, and about half an inch thick. Then, when the light hit it directly, I saw it was a drawing of a stick figure family. There was a mom, a dad, and two kids. They were next to a house and the ocean with fish in it. I looked up at Wei, tears falling down my face.

"You drew this picture nine years ago, when you were five years old. The day you drew this was also the day in which I found you." He avoided saying, 'the day your parents died.'

"Thank you, Wei. Really, thanks," I said.

"You're welcome. Now there is a festival going on. After all, it is the Winter Solstice," Wei said, and we went outside. "Oh, but before you run off, I want to get a painting of us. Since today is your coming of age, Hyriu."

"Ugh, alright, Wei," I said, even though I didn't mind.

"Dad, do we have to?" Hiko asked.

"Yes, Hiko, and we will get a painting on your fourteenth birthday also. Fourteen is a special age in the Water Tribes. You both know that.

Wei went to Huajia, Hydronia's best painter. Luckily, the guy was quick and good, or I don't think I could have stopped smiling, and my face would just be stuck that way forever. I stood on the left, Hiko on the right, and Wei stood behind us with his arms on our shoulders.

I went to go hang out with my friends. Since Hana officially knew about me, and we didn't have to act weird around each other, we officially started dating. Her present to me was a black koi fish that was stuffed; it was made of dyed fabric.

"Where did you get this?" I asked her.

"I paid a visit to Heiwa Valley yesterday. There are some amazing artisans there."

We met up with Lina, Fai, Koluk, and Tekton.

Koluk handed me a package, "This is from all of us."

I ripped the paper to reveal a water pouch that most water benders carry so they always had water on them, only this one was a bit less nice, and more raggedy looking.

"I know what you're thinking," Koluk said, "but before you get mad at us, I want to tell you that we made it."

"You made it?" I asked amazed.

"Yup, all of us did," he said with a smirk.

"How?" I asked.

"I came up with the design," Tekton said. "I designed it specially for you since you're left handed."

"I got the parts," Koluk chimed in.

"I sewed it all together," Lina said.

"And I painted it," Fai said with a grin. I noticed he had his arm around Lina.

"Wow, guys, this is great," I said and put it on. "Oh, and Koluk, happy birthday." I handed him a small knife in a sheath.

"Wow, thanks, Hyriu, and happy birthday to you," he said.

"Koluk, here," Hana said, "it isn't much, but it's something."

"Are you kidding?" Koluk said, "This is a coupon to the Crystal Serpent. Thanks."

"You're welcome," she said.

"Now, I believe there is a festival going on, so let's get festive," Koluk said.

First, we all had lunch together, and we joked around and talked. We played games and ran around the city. I saw a few friends from school who said happy birthday to Koluk and me. We saw Taruk, and he walked up to us.

"Well, if it isn't the birthday boys and their friends," he said. "Oh, Hyriu, why do you have so many scratches on your face?" he asked in mock concern.

The cuts were from two nights ago when the person spying on Lina and me had blown up the ice prison. I glared at him. "I fell."

"Oh. really, did you fall into Lina?" Taruk asked looking at her.

"For your information, Taruk, I cut myself a few times when I was sewing," she said with a glare.

"Hmm, if you say so," he said, "Oh, and happy birthday. I can't wait to see you in the Warrior Games, Hyr-o," he threatened and walked off.

"I really don't like him," Fai said. "He's such a jerk."

We continued our festivities for the rest of the day. When the sun started to set late in the day, we went to the Event Field where 'my' celebration was held three weeks ago. Chief Arnook was still in Hydronia since he wanted to know my progress. He was standing on the stage.

"Now quiet down, everyone. So it is that time of the year again. Time for the Warrior Games! The requirements for a boy to enter are, of course, the same. The boy must be at least fourteen and cannot be older than eighteen. The boy must be from the Water Tribe, and if the boy signs up for a particular event, he cannot back out of it. Now, all the boys who will be participating in the Warrior Games this year, come on stage and sign up. The events are Hand-to-hand Combat, Water bending, and Swordsmanship," Arnook said.

I walked up with Tekton, Fai, and Koluk. I signed up for all three events, as did Tekton. Koluk signed up for hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship. Fai signed up for hand-to-hand combat. I saw Taruk among his group of friends. Arnook motioned for us to stay on stage.

"Everyone," Arnook said, "I give you this year's warriors for this year's Warrior Games!" The crowd cheered.

After we left the stage, I said good-bye to my friends. I headed towards Gaofeng and went up the mountain pass. Lamara was waiting for me in the Shui Temple at the balcony that overlooked the valley.

"Happy birthday, Hyriu!" she said and hugged me.

"Ha ha thanks," I said and saw Daminao standing off to the side.

"Happy birthday," he said and handed me a small wooden box that fit in the palm of my hand.

I opened it, and inside, there was an arrow on a dial of some sort#.# "Um, thanks. What is it?"

Daminao moved his hand creating a light breeze. The arrow pointed to the left. "It is a wind compass. It tells you which direction the wind is blowing."

"Oh, okay," I said, still confused.

"It helps a lot with flying," Daminao said with his crooked smile.

I nodded. "Wait. Flying?" I exclaimed.

Just then, Master Sonam came out holding a long package. "Here you go. Happy birthday, my student."

I opened it to reveal a wooden staff somewhere around six or seven feet tall. It was made out of the same wood that my bow was made of. I opened its glider wings. They were semi-circles, the Southern Air Temple design, the one I preferred. The fabric for the wings was dyed a deep blue.

"Oh wow, thanks so much," I said, admiring my glider.

"It is from all of us here at the Shui Air Temple," Master Sonam said.

"Well, let's give it a try," I said and took off. Daminao and Lamara followed close behind.

I tried out my air-surfing technique where I stood up on my glider. I was a bit wobbly, but I could do it. After I had flown for a long time, I told them I was going to visit the old caves. The caves were on the east side of the valley. I landed and looked at the Shui Temple on my right. I turned around and walked to the caves. The caves were just a series of archways cut into the mountainside. Not many air benders came here, which was one reason I did. I didn't want to be disturbed. I sat down, my back facing the caves so I could see the sun setting, casting orange light on everything. I began to meditate, concentrating on the spirits in me. After a few minutes, I heard someone say, "Hello, Hyriu."

I opened my eyes and saw an old Fire Nation man sitting in front of me.

"Avatar Roku?" I asked.

"Yes," he said. "It is good to see you, Anzen. But I can not stay long."

"Why?" I asked.

"Well, the Avatar returned three weeks ago, I'm sure you know, and now he is in my temple in the Fire Nation. He is on his way to talk to me. And since he will be seeking advice from me fairly often, I will leave you in the hands of another Avatar. She has already guided you, I believe."

"Which Avatar?" I asked.

A tall woman in green clothing and wearing face paint appeared in a flash of blue light. "Me," she said. I recognized her voice; she was the one that spoke to me over the past few weeks.

"Avatar Kyoshi," I said.

"Yes, I will guide you and help you however I can," she said.

"I must leave now," Roku said and was gone.

"Avatar Kyoshi, can you help make any sense of these visions I have been seeing?" I asked.

"No," she answered, "But there are others who can. Look deep inside yourself, feel the energies of the spirits in you, three in particular."

I could feel them and suddenly three people appeared before me. First was a woman with a white dress and dark hair. She wore a belt, which had glasses, telescopes, and even a monocle hanging from it. Next was a rough looking man. He looked like he was a blacksmith. He was tan and had tough hands with many scars on them. The third was also a man and had a sly look about him. He had a belt with ropes, chains, and handcuffs on it.

Kyoshi looked pleased, "Good job, Hyriu, allow me to introduce Kan Dao-"

The woman spoke, "Spirit of Sight." She had a gentle voice.

Kyoshi continued, "Weizao-"

The blacksmith spoke with a deep voice, "Spirit of Craftsmanship."

"And lastly, Kizuna," Kyoshi said.

The sly man also had a sly voice, "Spirit of Binding."

"These three spirits are why you exist," Kyoshi told me.

It took me a second to realize what she was saying, "Wait, you three created me?"

Kizuna, the sly one, spoke, "In a way, yes, we created you. All three of us played a large part in the creation of the Anzen."

Kan Dao, the woman, spoke, "I was the one who foresaw the Great Darkness, and so I purposed the plan for a back up Avatar."

Weizao said, "I made the jar that contained all the spirits."

"And I am the one that holds everything together. Without me, it would all fall apart," Kizuna said.

"Why have you called us here?" Kan Dao asked.

"Kyoshi said you could help me," I said.

They looked at Kyoshi who looked at me, "Ask them what you asked me."

"Can you help me figure out my visions and the Robed Man?" I asked the spirits.

"Ah, I was afraid this would happen," Kan Dao said, "Since I am the Spirit of Sight, I am part of why you have visions. The other part is that this Robed Man is sending them to you."

"Who is this Robed Man? Is he really the Great Darkness that I will have to face?" I asked nervously.

"I'm afraid he is," Kan Dao said.

"And will he actually be here is less than six months?" I asked.

"Yes, except he told you that a month ago, so now, it is less that five months," Kan Dao said.

With a pang, I realized she was right. The Robed Man had given me his warning five weeks ago, so it was over a month ago when he said that.

"Hey, don't worry, kid," Weizao said. "Why do you think you are the Anzen?"

"Because I was born at the right time," I said and looked down.

"No, because Kan Dao saw that a child would be strong enough to be the host for so many spirits. And she saw that the child's spirit, your spirit, would be strong enough to resist the Darkness and defeat it," he said.

"Are we done with the pep talk?" Kizuna asked in a bored tone.

"Hush, Kizuna," Kan Dao chided.

"What? The solstice is ending so why are we trying to help a kid who can't even help himself?" he asked.

"Don't listen to him, Hyriu," Weizao said, "We chose you above a thousand other kids. We believe in you. So why don't you?"

The sun sank and the solstice ended. The four beings faded away, leaving me to my thoughts.

I hope you liked it and for anyone thinking the story is slow it picks up in these next chapters and it then races towards the end of this book even though we still have many chapters to go, it is a much quicker pace with exciting things going on.