Sorry for such a late update. Well, here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Book 5 Water
Chapter 21 Freed
The skies were overcast as the sight of a small ship was seen swaying against the choppy waves along the sea. Below deck, the scene slowly focused on a man tied against a post with cuts on his heels and dried blood on his forehead. His head hung low as he stirred uncomfortably against the hard floor. He clenched his jaw as he ignored his injures such as the pain in his shoulder, which of course, was minimal, compared to the bitter grief in his heart…
The Water Tribe warrior was a proud, stubborn man. Until now with so much that has happened in his life. This was the hardest blow yet.
Not only has he lost his beloved wife, mother, but now his precious daughter? The grief was almost too much to bear. Chief Hakoda, assuming his daughter is gone with the rest of the crew, silently wept for his loss.
He was grateful his son still lives and is safe. He knew his son will survive on and carry his legacy and leadership as a warrior. Of course with that fact only didn't stop the aching tenderness in his chest.
The spirits spared his life, thus it meant he had purpose to keep on living. It was his duty as a warrior, as a leader of his people.
Yet, it couldn't end the deep sorrow that plagued his heart as he wished that he was never saved.
Even if it is how Hakoda feels at the time, he knew he had to push those bitter thoughts aside as he recalled his current position.
Closing his eyes, Hakoda was very dejected over the fact he was held captive by one of the most merciless and greediest people known in the central territories.
Pirates…
They are rebellious men who were known for their scandalous bargains and were not affiliated with any one government or nation, making them a threat to anyone. Especially with trade routes involving the power country of the Earth Kingdom and the country's capital Ba Sing Se.
During the war, they kept low in both status and crime while news of the Avatar was spreading along with the wrath of the Fire Lord.
Now, reports have mentioned they are growing in numbers as percentages of transgression increased and violence broke out across the boarders.
Hakoda never imagined they would have entered into Fire Nation Territory.
That knowledge was valuable, the warrior knew he had to stay alive and somehow contact someone with that information.
Tightening his fingers against the granular rope, Hakoda felt determined to fight this through, for the sake of his people and the Fire Nation.
The scene then backed away with the creaking sound of the wooden ship and shallow calls of men above.
The sight of a bare slender feminine back came into view with a tinted peachy cream color and a dark flat mole on her right shoulder. Short dark russet hair was seen hovered over the woman's neck. Turning her head slightly, the woman smiled. "Do you want something to drink?" the young woman asked as she covered herself with a green sheet.
"I'm good…" a dark skinned man said as he lazily folded his arms behind his head, his bare chest seen.
"How long do you plan to stay here?" the woman asked as she walked a small distance to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water.
"I'm not sure…Hopefully longer than last time." The man said as he narrowed his eyes.
"Well, as long as you return safely every time." The woman said as the scene focused on her red maroon lips.
"Suki." The man said as he sat up, surprised by the almost sadden tone in his sweetheart's voice.
Suki turned to her husband and gave a light smile. Smiling back, Sokka gestured his hands towards her to return to bed. The woman giggled and crawled underneath the sheets and joined him.
The two lovers enjoyed each others company and made each moment they had together meaningful.
Yet in the back of their minds, they knew the risks that plague the outside world from the small island of Kyoshi which had sheltered the people for many years of any disease.
Suki buried her face into Sokka's chest as he caressed her soft hair.
She knew her husband was planning on leaving today. It was painful obvious due to his stern expression she recalled the night before, when they made love. How he took in every inch of her, so passionately and deeply, after he held her in his arms as though he never wanted to let go.
Silent tears felt from her eyes and rolled down the side of her cheek and behind her ear.
As a Kyoshian warrior, she knew the dangers he will have to face once he set foot off the island. But as a woman, she feared for his life and wanted to beg him to stay.
Suki closed her eyes as she listened to her husband's slow heart beat and the rise and fall of his chest.
The scene then focused on the water tribesman as he stared up at the wooden beams supporting the ceiling. He felt his wife's wet tears on his skin. After that, he realized she knew he will be departing soon. Closing his eyes, Sokka tried to ignore the pain-staking reality of it as he pulled Suki closer to him.
It wasn't important to dread now…She was with him at this moment. That's all that mattered to him.
A white flash consumed the scene as the sound a crying out voice echoed through the blank sight. Slowly images reappeared as the marsh-like landscape as the scene drifted towards the view of Aang on the ground barely sitting up as he lay on his back. A shadow hovered over his form as he looked up. A red figure was blocking him; no…He was protecting him from the golden beast.
Aang carefully stood up and realized how tall the person was in front of him. Towering at a tall height, the red skinned spirit spoke in an unexpected soft tone.
"Princess…"
The scene then focused the on possessed woman as she hissed at the red man.
Suddenly the tall red spirit embraced the woman tightly, "Princess! It's me! Agni!" the red spirit cried out with such painful sadness.
The woman's dark eyes then glistened as the woman's lips parted.
"Ag-ni…?" the woman said as her demonic voice faltered slowly into a feminine tone.
"Yes, princess…I'm here." Agni said as the woman raised her clawed hands and gripped on his black haori.
Tears formed in the woman's eyes as they slowly changed into a deep violet and the horns upon her forehead vanished.
"I waited…You never came." The woman cried out as her memories flooded into her mind.
"I'm here, princess. I've returned." Agni said as he hugged his beloved tighter.
Aang watched the scene as he took a step forward; he smiled at the heart-felt sight of the two lovers reuniting at last.
The God turned to the airbender as the hime stood by his side. "I am sorry I didn't come sooner. Avatar Aang." The red spirit said as Aang simply nodded.
Just then a loud cry broke out as Agni and Aang turned to the sound. The woman was gripping her head as she cried out again.
The beast was still inside her soul, corrupting her.
Narrowing his eyes, Agni held onto the woman as she tried to push him away.
"Aang, take the beast out of her!" Agni yelled out as Aang blinked.
"How can I?" Aang asked unsure what to do before it dawned on him.
His ability…Spirit-bending!
Could it work on a spirit, the same as a human being? The painful cry of the woman then brought Aang out of his thoughts as he then raced to her side.
"NO!!" the woman screamed out as her tongue stuck out resembling like a long serpent's forked tongue.
Aang placed his thumb on her bang covered forehead and other palm on her chest. Then a surge of energy escaped outward. A dark golden aura surrounded the woman's body while the same blue aura covered Aang's form. As quickly as it happened, the deed was done. A light fled out of the woman's body as it shaped into a misty form of a dragon. The spirit of the dragon cried out and flew upward into the blinding light above. Then the once murky scenery around the three figures slowly transformed back into the beautiful garden.
The sight of a light pink aura was seen encircling over the spirit hime as Aang pulled away, the woman gently fell back into Agni's arms when she opened her eyes. Her red lips parted as she gasped out.
Looking up, she saw the fire god before her. Tears fell down her rosy cheeks as she reached out and embraced him.
"Agni!" the woman spirit called out with joy and the red spirit hugged her back lovingly.
Aang felt slightly drained but pleased he was able to save the woman from the evil dragon.
The two spirits turned to the airbender with a faint smile. "Thank you, Avatar." The woman said with her soft voice.
Aang bowed his head with a smile.
Just then something caught the young man's eye as he turned and saw the white forms of the lost souls. They were in rows across the boarder of the forest and garden. Aang then turned back to see the spirit hime step forth.
She lengthened out her arms with her palms facing up. A small red light formed into her hands as it was a blooming pink lotus flower glowing in a faint radiance. Aang blinked in amazement as the flower slowly floated off her fingertips and broke apart its pink petals onto the green floor. Then the grass below started to sparkle in a bright light.
The light then split outward crawling along the ground like a snake; a flowing of glittering enchantment.
The light seeped over the lost souls as their translucent bodies glowed and vein like branches surrounded the inner line of their forms. Faces then appeared upon the souls as one stood out from the rest. Aang's eyes glistened as he recognized the one person he respected more than anyone. His mentor and father-figure, Monk Gyatso. The old master gave a warm smile.
"Thank you, Aang." The spirit said with a light gratuitous tone in his voice as the other forms by side him gradually revealed familiar faces of the airbender's people. Images of the nomad nuns and playmates were seen all smiling at him. A tug of sadness and happiness filled his heart as he knew he did the right thing, not only for his people, but also gave him a sense of closure.
The spirits then raised their semi-transparent arms as their hands appeared to vanish gently in the scene. They were departing to paradise…
One by one, the once lost souls were disappearing before Aang's eyes. The last one to evaporate into the atmosphere was Gyatso. He never once looked away from the young airbender as he then vanished into thin air.
A hand was then seen placed lightly on the Aang's shoulder. "We will now return you to the world of the living, little one." The beautiful hime said as her beloved Agni stood by her side behind the airbender.
"Yea." Aang said softly as he closed his eyes.
A sudden flare blinded his eyes as he felt the odd sensation of falling forward towards an endless sky.
A body-crushing force overcame his senses as he then cried out, spiritually returning to his physical body.
Gasping out, he felt backward onto the ground. Toph called out as she raced to the airbender's side. The young man was panting with sweat beading his forehead. His legs were sprawled out and arms over his head as Toph hovered over him crying out. "Aang! Are you alright?" the girl asked fearing the worse as the airbender opened his gray eyes.
The earthbender's lips parted as she saw an odd expression in the boy's eyes; a look of calmness perhaps even slightly bracing.
Aang slowly sat up as he then recalled where he was. Smiling he looked over at the girl and sighed.
"Yea…I'm okay." Aang said as he then narrowed his eyes musingly. The scene backed away with the sight of withered leaves flowing in the breeze.
Entering into her room, young Kya was seen walking to her nightstand while looking over. The light red blankets from her full sized mattress were replaced with a thick fur bedspread along with a set of warm clothing set on her dresser. It seems it will be a cold night, the girl thought as she sat on the end of her bed.
Kya felt a strange tug at her chest as she recalled her brother's sadden face from earlier. The thought left her in an indifferent phrase as she turned her head to the side. Looking out at her bedroom window which was as tall as it was wide. Revealing the snowy landscape outside, Kya then wished her brother could be happy for the cold winter season.
He used to love it before…Why now, does he try to avoid it so much?
Looking down at her bed, Kya noticed a new pair of boots laid out for her to wear. Thinning her lips, the girl then decided to put them on. Kicking off her shoes, Kya then placed the new boots on. There was a warm patch of fur inside along with good leather bindings. After she managed to tie the straps in a messy bow knot, Kya stood up and grabbed the warm coat from her dresser then left her room.
The stone entry of the vestibule came into view as the sight of young girl ran into the garden. She stopped in front of the thick layer of snow inches higher than she remembered.
Lifting one foot up, Kya stepped into the soft snow as a light crunch was heard in her step. Kya smiled as she entered into the blanket of snow that covered the whole garden and hung over the window tree.
It was the most foreign yet amazing experience, Kya ever felt as she walked along the winter wonderland in her own backyard.
Bending down, Kya scooped a ball of the cold snow. She giggled as the flakes melt in her warm hands. Scooping more in her palms, the girl then tossed the snow above her head as the snow fell like sparkling dust.
Kya twirled in a circle as she laughed happily reaching up at the magical flakes.
Stopping slowly, Kya then bent down and clumped the snow into a ball. Playing with the moldable ice, the girl then felt it was the closest thing she could relate to for a waterbender. 'If Kuzu could freeze the hot coco then maybe he can freeze water!' the girl thought as she didn't really understand the full use of a waterbender's capabilities.
Knowing this, along with forming the frozen water in her hands, made Kya feel a little bit closer to her brother, in such a way that only a four year old could imagine as reasonable, she was content.
In the past, Kya has come to know her brother so well. It was only recently that things started to change.
That reality was scary for the little princess because she wanted to be with her brother forever. Though such notions were clearly not practical, the best Kya could do was try and relate to what Kuzon could be feeling or in this case through his abilities.
Kya smiled as the snow melted in her hands and returned to the white ground. It was then Kya realized she could mold more of the snow. Sitting on her knees, Kya gathered a pile of snow in front of her and started to create a round ball in the ground.
The scene then drifted back with a pair of watchful eyes gazing at the child.
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